Crisis Warning
Crisis Warning: Pakistan’s population is growing very fast. The health minister warns it could become the world’s fourth largest in five years. The country already has over 255 million people. It adds about 6.2 million more every year. This growth is not just about numbers. It challenges planning, resources, and political action.
Strained Services
Hospitals struggle to care for patients. Schools are overcrowded. Millions of children do not attend school. Cities grow without proper planning. Water, sanitation, and transport systems are under pressure. The economy cannot provide enough jobs. These problems increase inequality and social tension.
Population Solutions
Other countries, like Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Iran, reduced birth rates with strong policies. This shows that governments can manage population growth. In Pakistan, the challenge is acting, not understanding the problem. Millions of women cannot access reliable family planning. Cultural norms, misinformation, and weak healthcare limit choices. Expanding services, especially in rural areas, can slow growth.
Empowerment Needed
Access alone does not work. Girls must stay in school. Early marriages must end. Women must join the workforce. These steps reduce fertility and build human resources.
Governments must also improve coordination. Health, education, and population departments often work separately. This lowers efficiency. Pakistan needs a national strategy with funding and clear accountability.
Urgent Action
Fiscal policies need change too. Rewarding provinces for population growth worsens the problem. Pakistan has a short window of opportunity. Many people are under 30. The country must invest in its citizens’ futures. It must act fast before population overwhelms its capacity.
Published in Dawn, 6th April 2026
