Population explosion

The rapidly growing population remains largely overlooked, despite being one of the greatest threats to Pakistan’s stability. Pakistan’s population is expected to exceed 255 million by 2025, 372 million by 2050 and 511 million by 2100. Even today, 255 million is unsustainable.

An all parties conference must be called to tackle both the water crisis and population growth, which are inextricably linked. Pakistan can learn from China’s example, where 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty by building dams and controlling population growth.

Syed Hussein El-Edroos

Islamabad