Pakistan faces population emergency as Senate Panel calls for new law to manage growing crisis

Pakistan is facing a growing population challenge that is pressuring healthcare, education, jobs and basic resources,

Islamabad: Pakistan is facing a growing population challenge that is pressuring healthcare, education, jobs and basic resources, a Senate committee was told on Wednesday. Lawmakers highlighted concerns including child begging, child abuse, human trafficking and lack of basic facilities, while calling for a new law to create a permanent national population management system.

The issue was discussed during a joint meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights held at Parliament House, Islamabad. The meeting was jointly chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti and Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri.

During the meeting, Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal informed lawmakers that effective population management was necessary for Pakistan’s future development. He said population growth directly affects healthcare, education, employment opportunities, food security and environmental conditions.

The minister informed the committee that the National Population Council has already been formed under the leadership of the Prime Minister. The council includes all provincial chief ministers, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief of Army Staff and 11 federal ministers.

Officials told the committee that Pakistan is currently facing a population emergency and needs a coordinated national response. They said rapid population growth has become one of the country’s biggest challenges. The committee learned that Pakistan currently lacks a dedicated law for population management. Officials said the National Population Council is only working as a coordination body and does not have permanent legal status.

Senators questioned how a long term population policy could continue if governments change frequently. Members stressed that a proper law is needed to ensure that population planning remains a national priority regardless of political changes. The committee supported introducing legislation to give the National Population Council a permanent legal framework.

Officials also informed lawmakers that the government recently reduced taxes on contraceptive products after discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). They said expensive family planning products were one of the major barriers preventing people from accessing these services. During the discussion, members emphasized that population management should focus not only on reducing birth rates but also on improving the quality of life for families and children.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri highlighted serious social problems linked with population pressure, including child begging, child abuse, sexual exploitation, human trafficking and violence against children. She said limited access to education, healthcare, electricity and clean water increases pressure on families and creates additional challenges for society.

The committee chairperson said population planning should focus on protecting children and ensuring that every child receives proper care, education and opportunities. Members also discussed whether population management should receive greater attention from the federal government despite health and population matters having been transferred to the provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

Lawmakers said a coordinated national approach was necessary because population growth affects the entire country and cannot be managed separately by provinces. Officials informed the committee that the Chief Ministers of all provinces will meet later this month to discuss population-related challenges and improve cooperation between federal and provincial governments.

The committee was also informed that, for the first time, the Chief of Army Staff has been included as a member of the National Population Council, showing that population management is being treated as a major national issue. After detailed discussions, the committee decided not to approve the proposed population management bill immediately. Members directed ministries and officials to hold further consultations and prepare a stronger legal framework.

The joint committee will hold another meeting later this month after receiving recommendations from relevant ministries and stakeholders. The committee stressed that Pakistan needs a long-term population strategy to protect future generations and ensure that national resources can meet the needs of its growing population.