2-day Int’l conference on Population from 22nd
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Ministry of Population Welfare in collaboration with UNFPA and RAHNUMA is going to hold an International Conference on “Best Practices for Scaling Reproductive Health and Family Planning Programs” on November 20-21 here at Serena Hotel.
Purpose of the seminar is to interact with the countries of South Asian countries, comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka)..These countries are one the most populous region of the world having total population 1.46 billion. Collectively, this region is experiencing a high population growth rate 1.6 % per annum. In addition the conference will also include participants from Muslims countries i.e. Afghanistan, Iran and Egypt.
The impact of such a huge population has adverse affect on their limited resources, which is reflected in their low development indices. The region is second lowest in human development indices as well as in poverty, as compared to Sub-Saharan Africa. The situation will further worsen with the doubling of the population size in four decades at the current rate of growth unless this is moderated, which depends to a large extent on the improvement of reproductive health and family planning situation. The high population growth rate will adversely affect the economic growth rate and overall quality of life of the people. The developing countries will find it difficult to save and invest for future development by meeting the current needs of the growing population. Adverse affects of high population growth rate is already seen in terms of high incidence of poverty and malnutrition and deteriorating environmental degradation and this will further worsen with the growing population.
Countries in South Asia have much to learn from each others, since they share common socio cultural traditions and administrative set up which facilitates implementation of programs. In addition there is a lot to learn from other countries like Iran and Egypt with which Pakistan shares common religion as well as other socio cultural and development situations. These countries have made rapid progress in scaling programs and in reducing fertility, mortality and population growth rates. The two day international conference will be addressed by representatives of the respective countries and Pakistan’s imminent scholars in the field of social and economic sectors. The speakers will share best practices in vague region to share and learn from each other experiences in best practices to keep the population at optimum level.