Summary
- ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has warned that Pakistan’s rapidly growing population is creating severe economic and social pressure on the country.
- Speaking in the National Assembly, he said that every year Pakistan’s population increases by the equivalent of New Zealand’s total population.
- He warned that population growth is Pakistan’s biggest long-term challenge and said development planning must be aligned with demographic realities.
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has warned that Pakistan’s rapidly growing population is creating severe economic and social pressure on the country.
Speaking in the National Assembly, he said that every year Pakistan’s population increases by the equivalent of New Zealand’s total population. He cautioned that if the current trend continues, Pakistan could become the fourth most populous country in the world by 2030.
He further stated that by 2050, the population could reach 400 million if growth is not controlled. He highlighted major challenges linked to this increase, including pressure on education, health, housing, and employment.
Mustafa Kamal said nearly 11,000 women die each year during childbirth in Pakistan. He also noted that approximately 26.2 million children are currently out of school.
He said the country needs about 66,000 new primary schools every year to meet educational demands. He added that Pakistan must create jobs for nearly 65 million young people in the coming years.
The minister also said that the health system requires major expansion, including thousands of new primary health units. He stressed the need for around 20 million new housing units to accommodate population growth.
He warned that population growth is Pakistan’s biggest long-term challenge and said development planning must be aligned with demographic realities.
Mustafa Kamal also commented on resource distribution among provinces, saying financial allocations must reflect population ratios under the NFC Award framework.
He added that even after completion of major water projects like K-IV, Karachi would still rely on tanker-based water supply if demand continues to rise.
The minister urged urgent policy reforms and coordinated efforts to address population growth and its impact on national resources.
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