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ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said the uncontrolled rise in population had become a “national emergency,” which required a comprehensive and integrated development strategy to address effectively.
Chairing a meeting of the committee constituted on the directions of the Prime Minister to curb the rapid increase in population, he emphasized that close coordination and cooperation between the federation and the provinces would be ensured for effective population management, a news release said.
Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Musadik Malik, Member of the National Assembly Dr Saira Afzal Tarar, and renowned sociologist Zeba Sattar attended the meeting.
The planning minister said that population growth was not merely a health issue but also had economic and social dimensions, directly affecting all socio-economic indicators.
He stressed that the time had come to make population control a key part of broader national planning.
Ahsan Iqbal stated that under the NFC Award, the population-based share should be gradually reduced so that resource allocation was linked to population reduction.
He added that the federal government, in collaboration with provincial governments, was formulating a comprehensive action plan in this regard.
The minister further said that the vision of Uraan Pakistan was to provide youth with extensive opportunities for education and employment, enabling them to play a more effective role in national development.
It was decided in the meeting that the committee would reconvene within ten days to finalize its recommendations and determine the future course of action.