Pakistan is fifth most populous country in the world with a population of 241 million (Census 2023), growing at a high rate of 2.55%.
With this current population growth, Pakistan’s population is projected to reach 263 million by 2030 and 383 million by 2050, according to an official statement released here on Monday.
The statement said that this rapid Population growth rate presents significant challenges to our national development, straining our resources.
It said World Population Day is observed on 11th July every year to raise awareness of population issues and promote solutions that guide towards a sustainable future.
The day commemorates 11th July 1987 when the world population reached the five billion marks. The occasion affords the opportunity to educate the public, to mobilize political will and resources to address the population issues.
This year, World Population Day is being celebrated (11th July 2024) with the theme ‘Embracing the power of inclusive data towards a resilient and equitable future for all’.
In the above context, Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmed, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination said that we have made significant strides.
According to the statement, since 2019, the Council of Common Interest (CCI) decisions based National Action Plan on population has been a guiding road map for federal and provincial governments to work towards achieving sustainable population growth rate.
Effective implementation of the National Action Plan on population is critical step towards ensuring population stabilization in the country.
Under the National Action Plan, the establishment of federal and provincial task forces on population reflects the highest level of commitment to population management, he said.
Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination is organizing a seminar on 11th July 2024, here in Islamabad.
The seminar will assemble the federal and provincial ministers, diplomats, implementing partners, representatives of NGOs and INGOs, development partners and media persons, among others, the statement added.
