Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the importance of responsible population planning and coordinated national efforts to achieve sustainable development, fair resource allocation, and long-term prosperity for Pakistan. His remarks came on the occasion of World Population Day, observed annually on July 11.
Highlighting Pakistan’s commitment alongside the global community, the prime minister described wise population management as fundamental to building a welfare society. He stressed that aligning population growth with available resources is crucial for ensuring equitable access to services and fostering a prosperous nation.
This year’s World Population Day theme, “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” underscores the pivotal role of youth in shaping a brighter future. PM Shehbaz noted that Pakistan, as the world’s fifth most populous country, boasts one of the largest youth populations globally, with over 65 percent of its citizens under the age of 30.
He regarded this demographic advantage as a significant national asset and a key driver for economic and social progress. However, the prime minister also cautioned that the country’s annual population growth rate of 2.55 percent poses considerable challenges for economic planning, job creation, education, healthcare, housing, food security, urban infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.
In a significant development, the federal government has established the National Council for Population to develop a comprehensive and effective national strategy addressing population and development issues. This high-level body aims to coordinate policies between federal and provincial governments and strengthen institutional collaboration for improved planning.
The council will guide the implementation of the national population programme and facilitate timely decision-making aligned with Pakistan’s priorities. Its key objectives include integrating population concerns into the national development agenda, empowering women, enhancing human resource development, and promoting evidence-based policymaking to support long-term socio-economic advancement.
PM Shehbaz also highlighted initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, designed to equip young people with skills and empower them to become responsible citizens.
Calling for collective action, the prime minister urged all stakeholders—including federal and provincial authorities, parliamentarians, development partners, civil society, academia, the private sector, religious leaders, media, and local communities—to contribute to informed population-related decisions, responsible parenting, gender equality, and sustainable development.
He underscored the need to prioritize vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls, ensuring their access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and equal rights.
PM Shehbaz concluded that addressing population challenges requires joint efforts from the government and society at large. Through unified commitment and shared responsibility, Pakistan can harness its demographic potential to build a stronger, more stable, and prosperous future for current and future generations.
