Federal Population Minister Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain has said that by next year Rs 1,200 as stipend would be given to village Imams and Khateebs, in order to encourage them to spread information on family planning in their villages, as they have a prominent place among the villagers.
He expressed these views while addressing a press conference, after the conclusion of training of imams and Khateebs on family planning here on Sunday.
He said that the proposal was waiting for the final approval, however it was certain that the stipend would distributed by the beginning of next year. "The members of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) were invited to the training programme, but due to political compulsion they could not attend the training," he added.
The minister averred that in the past family planning was not spread on scientific basis, rather it was enforced on the people, hence it failed to take root in the country. He said that now they have initiated a training programme for imams and Khateebs on family planning, who would disseminate information in their areas; and since they hold high respect in communities, people would take family planning more seriously.
They were also involving women and minorities in the family planning programme, as they have also a vital role to play in its success, he added.
"They have consulted renowned international religious schools for the formulation of training programme on family planning. The training programme would also be held in the cities of the southern Punjab," he averred.
He was hopping to see a reduction in the birth rate from 1.9 percent to 1.3 percent by 2020. He blamed the General Ziaul Haq government for high population growth in the country, as the vital subject was ignored in his days, for which women and children had to suffer.
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