ISLAMABAD
Director General (DG) Population at the Ministry of National Health Services, Dr. Soofia Yunus on ‘World Population Day’ Friday urged all sectors of society to come together through coordinated efforts, national-level discourse and proactive media advocacy to prioritize family planning, emphasizing that inaction could lead to overwhelming pressure on limited resources.
In an exclusive conversation with state-run news channel, Director General Population emphasized the urgent need for a unified national response to address population growth, adding, the importance of media campaigns, especially targeting those who hold myths and misconceptions about family planning.
She said that while the government is making efforts, collective action from all sectors of society is essential to effectively address the population challenge.
She highlighted that all segments of society must be actively involved, including government institutions, budget planners, Islamic scholars, teachers, parliamentarians, and social media influencers to form a collective voice in support of family planning initiatives. Dr. Yunus warned that failure to act decisively could lead to serious consequences, including increased pressure on health, education, food and other essential resources.
She stressed that only through inclusive engagement, policy commitment and widespread awareness can the country effectively manage its population and ensure a sustainable future for the coming generations. Responding a query, she further stressed that “a healthy mother means a healthy child,” underscoring the importance of maternal health for the well-being of future generations.
She expressed concern over the growing trend of anemia and poor nutrition among mothers, noting that lack of adequate blood and nourishment during pregnancy has become alarmingly common. Addressing maternal health, she added, must go hand-in-hand with population control efforts to ensure a healthier, more sustainable future.
To another question, DG added that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the Federal Health Minister are giving priority attention to family planning, engaging all provincial departments and working closely with United Nations development agencies to implement integrated and effective strategies aimed at population control and maternal health improvement.
She noted that Pakistan currently ranks as the fifth most populous country in the world, and if population growth continues unchecked, it could soon move to fourth place. With one of the highest population growth rates globally, Pakistan is facing unsustainable pressure on its public services and resources.
She emphasized that Pakistan’s resources are limited, and if population growth is not brought under control, the demand will far exceed the available resources, leading to serious economic and social challenges.
