Experts have warned that Pakistan is approaching a demographic crisis, as the country’s population growth increasingly outstrips available resources. This caution came at the conclusion of the Pakistan Population Summit on Tuesday, a two-day event that brought together government officials, academics, and civil society leaders. Participants described the situation as an “existential crisis” requiring urgent national attention and coordinated reforms, according to The Express Tribune.
Speakers at the summit urged a unified, cross-institutional approach to population management, emphasizing that the surge in population now poses threats to Pakistan’s healthcare system, food and water security, labor market, education infrastructure, and urban sustainability. They warned that without decisive measures, ongoing development efforts could soon be undermined.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar acknowledged that “the constitutional right to life is being eroded by an unsustainable population increase that heavily burdens maternal, neonatal, and reproductive health services.” He proposed creating a parliamentary committee, a national population control charter, and a multi-stakeholder working group to implement comprehensive reforms. Tarar also stressed that religion does not hinder family planning and called for attention to mental health issues, including postpartum depression, as part of reproductive health initiatives—a point that resonated strongly with summit participants.
Religious and legal scholars largely agreed. Dr. Raghib Naeemi, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, stated that “protecting life and lineage is a core objective of Shariah” and endorsed birth spacing within Islamic principles, according to The Express Tribune. Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad described population management as a “collective moral duty,” while Mufti Zubair Ashraf Usmani highlighted that Islam supports birth spacing for health reasons, not out of fear of poverty.
Legal expert Humaira Masihuddin emphasized the importance of “greater inclusion of women in decision-making positions,” noting that women’s empowerment and education are essential to addressing Pakistan’s population challenges, as reported by The Express Tribune.
