Sindh Chief Minister Sounds Alarm on Pakistan's Population Crisis
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has identified unchecked population growth as one of Pakistan's most critical social and economic challenges, emphasizing that sustained, evidence-based family planning policies are essential for securing the nation's future. The chief minister delivered this urgent message during a significant program titled "Waqfa – Tawazun Ke Liye" organized by the Khalil-ur-Rahman Foundation (MKRF) and Population Council Pakistan.
Historic Demographic Comparisons Reveal Stark Reality
Addressing the gathering at the Hindu Gymkhana's NAPA Auditorium in Karachi, CM Murad Ali Shah provided a detailed historical perspective on population trends. He recalled that in 1971, during a pivotal moment in Pakistan's history, the country's population stood at approximately 62 million. At that same time, Bangladesh had about 70 million people while India's population was slightly below 550 million.
The chief minister highlighted the dramatic demographic shifts over the past 54 years, revealing that today India's population has soared to 1.48 billion, Bangladesh stands at 177 million, while Pakistan's population has surged to 259 million. "India's population grew by 2.7 times, Bangladesh's by about two and a half times, while Pakistan's population grew by 4.2 times," Shah noted, emphasizing the disproportionate growth rate.
Missed Opportunities and Policy Failures
CM Murad Ali Shah pointed out that while India and Bangladesh maintained population growth ratios close to 1.8 percent, India still managed to keep its growth rate 1.7 percent lower than Pakistan's. This contrast underscores the effectiveness of long-term population management policies implemented by neighboring countries.
"Had Pakistan followed a population growth trajectory similar to Bangladesh since 1971, our country's population today would have been around 155 million - nearly 100 million less than its current size," the chief minister explained. He posed a critical question: "We must ask ourselves what went wrong and why we failed to acknowledge our mistakes in time."
The Rise and Decline of Family Planning Initiatives
The Sindh chief minister traced the history of population control efforts in Pakistan, recalling that in the 1970s, public awareness campaigns such as "Small family, prosperous family" were regularly broadcast on television. "At that time, there was only PTV, and we grew up hearing these messages," he remembered fondly.
However, Shah lamented that during the martial law period, population control lost its priority status and family planning campaigns gradually disappeared from public discourse. "Other countries took timely measures, knowing population growth would eventually become an economic burden, but unfortunately, we did not," he added with regret.
Specifically addressing General Zia-ul-Haq's era, Murad Shah noted that family planning was sidelined during that period, though discussions resumed after the restoration of democratic governments when NGOs began playing their role. "Despite these efforts, the impact was still far less than what was required," he observed critically.
Successful Programs and Current Challenges
Highlighting positive initiatives, the chief minister credited Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's Lady Health Workers Programme for creating meaningful awareness by taking family planning messages door to door. "This programme has benefitted communities immensely, yet even today, when compared with other countries, we remain far behind," he admitted candidly.
CM Murad Ali Shah firmly rejected the notion that family planning is a religious issue. "This has been unnecessarily turned into a religious debate, whereas in reality it is not," he stated unequivocally.
International Comparisons and Geographic Realities
The chief minister provided compelling international comparisons, stating that over the last decade:
- Saudi Arabia's population growth remained at 1.22 percent
- Iran's at 0.5 percent
- Iraq's at 0.54 percent
- Turkey's at just 0.12 percent
He also noted that the United States, with a population of around 310–315 million, has managed its demographic growth despite vast economic demands.
Referring to Pakistan's geography, the chief minister pointed out that the country's land area is approximately 800,000 square kilometres, yet it has failed to develop a sustainable population management programme that matches its territorial capacity.
Launch of Comprehensive Social Change Campaign
The ceremony marked the launch of Pakistan's largest and most comprehensive Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) campaign on family planning, initiated jointly by the Khalil-ur-Rahman Foundation (MKRF) and Population Council Pakistan. The program was also addressed by:
- MPA Nida Khuhro
- Country Director Population Council Pakistan Dr Zeba Sathar
- UK Deputy High Commissioner Lance Domm
- MKRF Managing Director Shahrukh Hasan
The chief minister expressed hope that such initiatives would help steer the country toward informed decision-making and long-term socio-economic stability. "Population growth is a deep-rooted social issue with far-reaching economic consequences that we can no longer afford to ignore," CM Murad Ali Shah concluded, calling for immediate, coordinated action across all sectors of society.
