Environmental degradation

As I walk through my hometown, I see the signs of a Pakistan that is struggling under the weight of its own growth. What was once a peaceful green field is now a crowded group of houses, and the air that used to smell of fresh earth now carries the heavy scent of pollution. These changes, though gradual, are extremely worrying – and they are part of a crisis we can no longer ignore: overpopulation. With over 240 million people, Pakistan is on the border of an environmental breakdown. The growing demand for food, energy, and land is leading an inexorable cycle of destruction. Our water sources are drying up, forests are being stripped bare, and our skies are choked with pollution. Behind every tree felled, every polluted river, are families trying to make ends meet. But this cycle is unsustainable – both for us and the land we depend on.

If we don’t act now, future generations will inherit a country stripped of its natural resources, vulnerable to extreme climate events, and struggling with the consequences of a neglected crisis. Our approach to overpopulation must be fixed in compassion and responsibility. This means investing in accessible family planning services and making reproductive healthcare a national priority. It also means empowering women through education, so they have the knowledge and opportunities to make informed decisions about their futures.

Muhammad Shahjahan Memon

Islamabad