‘Population growth big challenge’

Islamabad: Unchecked population growth is a major challenge in ensuring sustainable growth and needs the immediate attention of the provincial governments.

"There is a need for greater investment for enhancing access and quality of service delivery in this sector, especially for the people of far-flung areas and to integrate these programmes with health service delivery programs being provided at the grassroots level," he told a Population Council delegation at the Prime Minister's Office here.

Population Council Country Director Dr Zeba A Sathar led the delegation comprising Dr Ali Mohammad Mir, Seemin Ashfaq, and Dr Hanid Mukhtar.

Dr Zeba presented an overview of the demography of the country and its impact on economic growth in comparison with other Muslim countries of the world as well as countries in the region.

She also gave recommendations for handling the challenge of rapid population growth and encourage the provincial governments to undertake effective measures for managing population growth. The prime minister assured the delegation that the issue would be taken up with the provincial governments at the platform of Council of Common Interest for a consensus-based national strategy.