Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has warned about the strain of Pakistan’s rapidly growing population on its resources, comparing the annual increase to adding another country the size of “El Salvador” every year. He questioned the feasibility of providing essential services like education and employment on this scale, citing the immense need for 66,000 new educational institutions and 65 million job opportunities. Kamal emphasized the internal nature of this challenge, stating that the country’s burgeoning population poses a greater threat than external enemies.

In separate remarks, Kamal expressed concerns about the presence of the poliovirus in every district despite only 13 cases of paralysis. He attributed the low incidence of paralysis to the widespread administration of the polio vaccine, stating that thousands of children would have been paralyzed without the vaccination campaign. The minister urged parents to continue vaccinating their children, emphasizing that the oral drops are not harmful but lifesaving. He termed the vaccination decision a critical choice impacting a child’s future.