ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described Pakistan’s rapidly growing population as the country’s biggest challenge, stressing the need for coordinated national efforts to promote population welfare and sustainable development.

The remarks came during a review meeting on population welfare, chaired by the prime minister in Islamabad.

During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif directed officials to convene a meeting of the National Population Council at the earliest opportunity to review progress and strengthen the country’s population management strategy.

Addressing participants, the prime minister said that rapid population growth poses one of the greatest challenges to Pakistan’s future, emphasizing that measures to manage population growth and improve family welfare should be regarded as a national responsibility.

He noted that maintaining a balanced rate of population growth is essential for achieving sustainable national development and improving the country’s long-term economic prospects.

The prime minister also stressed the need to align population planning policies with Pakistan’s broader goals of economic stability and national development.

Shehbaz Sharif directed relevant authorities to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the provincial governments to ensure the effective implementation of population welfare initiatives across the country.

He further highlighted the importance of public awareness campaigns, saying they play a vital role in educating citizens about population planning and encouraging informed family welfare decisions.

The meeting reviewed ongoing population welfare programs and discussed measures to enhance cooperation between the federal and provincial governments to address the country’s demographic challenges more effectively.

The prime minister reiterated the government’s commitment to pursuing policies aimed at promoting sustainable development through improved population planning, healthcare, and public awareness initiatives.