Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described rapid population growth as Pakistan’s biggest challenge and said the government aims to reduce the country’s population growth rate from 2.55 percent to 1.25 percent by 2035 under a new national strategy.
Chairing a high-level meeting on population welfare in Islamabad, the prime minister said population planning must be aligned with economic stability, human resource development, and national progress. He termed population control a “national duty” and called for stronger coordination between the federal and provincial governments, along with wider public awareness campaigns.
The meeting was informed that the government is preparing the National Stabilization Plan 2026-2035, which aims to halve Pakistan’s population growth rate over the next decade.
The operating procedures for the National Population Council Secretariat have been finalized.
Prime Minister Shehbaz directed officials to convene a meeting of the National Population Council, which will include the chief ministers of all provinces, the leadership of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and other key stakeholders to finalize the national strategy.
The plan will focus on improving healthcare, education, youth development, vocational training, social protection, and increasing women’s participation in the labor force.
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