Population surge

It would not be inaccurate to say that Pakistan is already experiencing a demographic emergency, but the upcoming years are set to exacerbate this crisis even further. With a population already exceeding 241 million, projections warn of a surge past 300 million by 2030 and potentially touching 400 million by 2040. This rapid expansion should be seen as a warning sign of systemic collapse by the government as it will inevitably devour the country’s depleting resources that are already far and few for the current population.

Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure is haemorrhaging under the weight of a 3.6 fertility rate, with maternal and infant mortality remaining shamefully high. Demand for care has simply outpaced what the state can sustainably provide, leaving citizens to fend for themselves. Simultaneously, the environmental toll is also catastrophic. Water scarcity is a daily reality for a major proportion of the population while the Indus Basin is subject to erratic monsoons and climate stress, directly imperilling our food security.

Apart from natural resources, the matter of human resource and its untapped and underutilised potential is acting as a strain on the ever-growing youth population. Young people are denied quality education, job opportunities and a fair chance to climb the social ladder, which is the mark of every progressive nation.

To avert this crisis, the state must adopt a resolute strategy. It must sustainably integrate access to modern contraception into primary healthcare, which should be backed by a culturally sensitive national awareness campaign — especially in regions where awareness is marred by social stigmas and religious myths. Moreover, education should be prioritised for all as literacy is the foundation upon which all crises are averted in any nation. Investing in family planning as well as climate-resilient infrastructure is a necessity, otherwise we risk watching all our development goals evaporate.