Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has declared that the provincial government is committed to making population stabilisation a top development priority, but stressed that unchecked growth cannot be addressed by the government alone. Speaking at an event organised by the Population Council with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Aurangzeb said, "This is not a challenge the government can address alone; it requires the collective commitment of families, communities, religious leaders, the private sector and development partners. Punjab is ready to lead by translating evidence into action."
Whole-of-Government Strategy Announced
Aurangzeb described population stabilisation as critical for Punjab's economic growth and human capital development. She announced the adoption of a whole-of-government strategy aimed at accelerating fertility decline, expanding access to voluntary family planning, and scaling up evidence-based interventions throughout the province. The strategy will be overseen by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who will monitor progress on the population agenda.
The senior minister emphasised that population stabilisation is not just a health issue but a cross-cutting development priority that affects education, employment, and resource allocation. She called for integrating population considerations into all sectoral policies and programmes.
Call for Collective Action
Aurangzeb acknowledged that achieving population stabilisation requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders beyond the government. She urged religious leaders to support family planning messages, the private sector to invest in reproductive health services, and development partners to provide technical and financial assistance. "Punjab is ready to lead by translating evidence into action," she reiterated, highlighting the province's commitment to data-driven policymaking.
The event also featured presentations by the Population Council on demographic trends in Punjab, which show that the province's population growth rate remains high despite some declines in fertility. Experts noted that investing in family planning can yield significant economic returns by reducing dependency ratios and improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Role of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif
Aurangzeb announced that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif will personally oversee the implementation of the population stabilisation strategy. This high-level oversight is intended to ensure accountability and accelerate progress. The strategy includes targets for increasing contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) and reducing unmet need for family planning across all districts of Punjab.
The government will also work to strengthen the supply chain for contraceptives, train healthcare providers in counselling and service delivery, and launch awareness campaigns to address myths and misconceptions about family planning. Aurangzeb stressed that all interventions will be voluntary and rights-based, respecting individuals' reproductive choices.
Support from Development Partners
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been supporting population programmes in Pakistan, including in Punjab. The FCDO's assistance focuses on improving access to family planning services, particularly for marginalised communities. Aurangzeb thanked the FCDO and the Population Council for their partnership and called for continued collaboration to achieve the province's population goals.
Pakistan has one of the highest population growth rates in South Asia, with a current population of over 240 million. Punjab, the most populous province, accounts for more than half of the country's population. Stabilising population growth is seen as essential for achieving sustainable development and improving living standards.
