Beyond Statistics
Beyond Statistics: As Pakistan enters 2026, it is the world’s fifth most populous country, with over 255 million people. Many see this as a crisis. Population size itself is not the problem. The real issue is how the state manages it. The state must decide whether to treat people as a burden or as a force for development.
Population as Strength
Smart policies can turn population into strength. The government must expand reproductive health services. It must keep girls in school. It must support women’s participation in the economy. These steps help families make informed choices. Countries that ignore them face slow growth and social stress.
Weak Governance
Pakistan struggles most with governance. Leaders announce policies, but delivery remains weak. Accountability is even weaker. This failure shows clearly in fiscal planning. The NFC award relies mainly on population size. It rewards headcounts, not results. It gives little incentive to improve health, education, or gender equality.
Reward Results
A forward-looking state would reward outcomes. It would support lower maternal deaths, higher female employment, better education, and climate resilience. Population already shapes Pakistan’s future. The country must now govern it as an asset, not just count it as a problem.
Published in Dawn, 4th January 2026
