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Islamabad: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has emphasized that encouraging balanced population growth is essential for Pakistan’s sustainable development and economic stability. He was speaking at the launching ceremony of the National and Provincial Population Projections 2023-2050 in Islamabad today.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister proposed introducing incentives for provinces that successfully control population growth under the NFC Award. He warned that if the current growth rate continues, Pakistan’s population could reach between 370 to 400 million by 2050, placing immense pressure on health, education, employment, water, food, and other basic services.
He pointed out the absence of effective incentives for provinces to reduce population growth rates and suggested that provinces demonstrating improvement in population management should be rewarded with additional incentives and recognition. Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of developing an educated, skilled, healthy, and productive human capital base, rather than merely focusing on increasing population numbers.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to data-driven governance and the utilization of modern technology and artificial intelligence for effective planning according to future national needs. He reiterated his proposal that reforms in the NFC Award should incentivize provinces showing measurable improvements in population stabilization.
The Planning Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with provincial governments to ensure balanced population growth, human development, and sustainable use of resources in order to build a stronger, balanced, and prosperous Pakistan.