Gilani calls for collective action on population planning, youth development

ISLAMABAD, Jul 15 (APP): Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani Wednesday called for a national consensus on responsible population planning, emphasizing that Pakistan’s future depends on empowering its youth through greater investment in education, healthcare and skills development.

Addressing a ceremony marking World Population Day 2026, the Chairman Senate said Pakistan’s growing population presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

He noted that with more than 65 percent of the population under the age of 30, the country possesses a significant demographic dividend that can only be realized through sustained investments in human development.

Highlighting the pressures of rapid population growth on healthcare, education, employment, water resources and the environment, he stressed that population planning must be integrated into Pakistan’s economic and development strategies.

He described family planning as a key tool for improving maternal and child health, reducing poverty and advancing sustainable development.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani called for cross-party cooperation and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting legislative and policy measures aimed at promoting responsible population planning and strengthening parliamentary oversight.

The Chairman Senate also urged political leaders, religious scholars, community representatives and the media to play their role in raising awareness and dispelling misconceptions regarding family planning, terming it a collective national responsibility.

He commended the Ministry of National Health Services, provincial governments, UNFPA and development partners for their contributions to Pakistan’s population and development agenda, and expressed confidence that through coordinated action the country could transform its population into a source of national strength and prosperity.