NFC reforms needed to encourage Population Control, says Ahsan Iqbal

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday called for reforms in the National Finance Commission (NFC)

Islambad: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday called for reforms in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award to incentivise provinces that successfully control population growth, warning that unchecked population increase poses a serious threat to Pakistan’s sustainable development and economic stability.

Speaking at the launch of the National and Provincial Population Projections 2023–2050 in Islamabad, the minister said Pakistan’s population could surge to between 370 and 400 million by 2050 if current trends continue, placing enormous pressure on health, education, employment, water, food, and other basic services.

He noted that 82 percent of NFC resource distribution is currently based on population share, leaving provinces with little incentive to reduce growth rates.

He proposed additional incentives for provinces showing measurable progress in population management.

Ahsan Iqbal termed population balance a matter of “national survival” rather than a religious issue, stressing the need to develop educated, skilled, and healthy human capital instead of merely increasing population numbers.

He warned that nearly 40 percent of Pakistani children suffer from malnutrition and stunted growth due to limited household resources.

The minister said the newly launched population projections, based on Pakistan’s first digital census, would guide future planning under Vision 2035, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and upcoming NFC deliberations.

The ceremony was attended by Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal, representatives of the United Nations Population Fund, senior government officials, researchers, and members of civil society.