Population & resource balance essential for economic development: Speakers

QUETTA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jun, 2026) Journalists and policy experts have termed population and resource balance essential for Pakistan’s economic stability, human development and better resource allocation, stressing the need to increase investment in family planning, health, education sectors and ensure effective use of funds.

These demands came to the fore at a media coalition meeting organized jointly by the Population Council and UNFPA in Islamabad, which was attended by media representatives, policy experts and development sector personnel from across the country.

In his opening address, Population Council Country Director Dr. Ali Mir said that spending on health and education is actually an investment in the future of the country.

He stressed the need to further strengthen the family planning service delivery system at the grassroots level, especially the Lady Health Worker Program, and said that appropriate spacing between children is essential for better health of the mother and child and is also in line with Islamic teachings.

In his presentation, Ikram Al-Ahmad, Manager of Communications at the Population Council, pointed out that Pakistan’s population is growing at a rate of about 2.5 percent annually, but government spending on population and family planning is lower than in many countries in the region.

He said that to achieve national goals, it is necessary to strengthen the accountability system of policymakers and relevant institutions based on data and evidence.

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According to him, family planning is one of the most effective public investments in terms of health, economy and human development.

Senior Economic Advisor Ammar Ali Qureshi said that the balance between population and resources is not just a social issue but an economic necessity.

He said that the rapidly growing population and economic challenges are affecting the pace of development of the country, while the education and participation of women in economic activities is key to sustainable development and reducing the birth rate.

The media representatives participating in the meeting discussed the challenges in the health, education, population sectors, limited resources and service delivery issues.

Participants emphasized that the media could play a vital role in raising public awareness, providing accurate information, bringing about positive changes in attitudes, and monitoring the implementation of government commitments.

At the end of the meeting, participants agreed that population balance is a national priority, for which political commitment, adequate financial resources, effective policy implementation, and continuous public awareness are indispensable.

Media representatives reiterated their commitment to further promote evidence-based and responsible reporting on population and development issues.