The reality of this crisis is that without population control and family planning initiatives, the government may completely lose pace in providing basic necessities to a majority of its citizens.
In an effort to target this issue, the Public Accounts Committee of the Sindh Assembly recently adjured the provincial government to establish population welfare centres in all 1,600 union councils of Sindh. The move is aimed at reducing the population growth rate by guiding families towards resource-sensitive and responsible family planning — issues that are generally regarded as taboo in this society.
While this initiative offers guidance and resources, the province continues to face a shortage of female healthcare workers who would also be better positioned to raise awareness among women, particularly in rural areas.
A holistic strategy should include door-to-door awareness campaigns promoting more reliable modern contraceptive methods, including medical options for men such as sterilisation. Reducing the cultural stigma surrounding such medical procedures is a crucial step to progress, and this can only be achieved through open and increased conversation.
The government should also consider engaging private sector entities to enhance access to family planning resources and services. It is a concerning insight that Pakistan’s population growth rate (2.55%) outpaces almost all of its neighbours, with China rather expecting a declining population in 2025. The urgent need for sustained efforts to manage our population growth rate cannot be over-emphasised.