Population is key to all development pursuits: Minister
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—The welfare of the population cannot be restricted merely to techniques and models of family planning and reproductive health. It must address physical and social health and the well being of the population to redirect their energies for sustainable development.
This was stated by the Federal Minister for Population Welfare, Professor Dr. A.J. Khan while addressing the inaugural session of two days seminar on “Unpacking Unmet Need for Family Planning Services” organized by the Population Council with the collaboration of UNDP in a local hotel here today.
The minister said that the present government was cognizant of the fact that population growth rate was a national issue and it must be discussed openly and publicly. We want intellectual debate and prudent policy choices from all segments of society and expect that this seminar would provide an opportunity to all stakeholders to build partnerships in addressing this issue.
The minister further said that for meeting the unmet demands, the Ministry of Population Welfare was supporting the projects of Private Sector Social Marketing initiatives through donor funding in the country. Now key Social Marketing (KSM) and Green Star Social Marketing Pakistan (GSM) are broadening their service.
The minister said that the Population Ministry was working extensively to strengthen outreach through enhanced and improved delivery strategies with particular focus on rural under served areas. It was also involving social, religious and political leadership of the country in this campaign by conducting seminars, trainings and short orientation courses at districts and tehsils level. Now we are working on the agenda of functional collaboration with M/O Health so that more outlets may be set up in far flung areas in the country from health and family planning viewpoint. He said that Ministry has almost introduced universal level of awareness for family planning in Pakistan.
The Federal Minister appreciated the presentations made by Professor John Caster line, Professor of Social Demography from Ohio State University and Mr. Peter Miller and thanked for all the participants from all four provinces and the representatives of all donors’ agencies in Pakistan.