Population reforms: Pakistan’s urgent priority |
POPULATION growth fuels overpopulation, and overpopulation, in turn, entrenches poverty.
This cycle has become one of Pakistan’s most pressing and complex challenges. Since independence, the issue has received intermittent attention from policymakers and successive governments. However, inconsistent policies, political instability, and sensitivity surrounding family planning—often amplified by religious pressures—have prevented sustained and decisive action.
While examples such as Bangladesh are frequently cited for their success in population control, Pakistan has yet to demonstrate comparable commitment or visible results. The consequences of inaction are stark. Each year, Pakistan adds a population roughly equivalent to that of New Zealand. This unprecedented growth places immense strain on governance, infrastructure, and public resources. The demand for electricity, gas, water, housing, healthcare, and road networks continues to surge. Climate change has intensified floods and erratic weather patterns, while environmental degradation worsens. Food insecurity and........