Population growth rate declines

According to the latest findings of the Federal Bureau of Statistics population growth rate of the country has declined to an encouraging mark ie 1.96 percent.
Federal Secretary of Population Welfare Shakil Durrani stated this while addressing a press conference here on Wednesday after concluding session of the Round Table Meeting on South collaboration, jointly organised by the population ministry and the 'Partners in Population and Development (PPD)' an inter-governmental organisations comprising 20 countries including Pakistan.
"As per the latest statistics of the federal bureau of statistics population growth rate of the country has decreased to 1.96 percent from the previous 2.06 percent", Durrani added. The federal population ministry has already de-federalised its operations, consequently the provinces are making enormous progress on family planning programmes, he said.
Federal secretary population said, NWFP and FATA were taking lead in every family planning initiative of the federal government.
Another encouraging factor, which has helped in achieving this target, is the adequate funding provided by the federal government. "Last year, we were given Rs 1.8 billion, this year the budget was increased to Rs 3.1 billion and it would be doubled in the next financial year", he indicated.
He appreciated the role of donor agencies, social marketing firms and the civil society and stressed the need to further strengthen their linkages for achieving programme objective of increasing Contra Prevalence Rate beyond 50 percent. Dr Doniya Aziz, Parliamentary Secretary for Population welfare informed the participants that the population problem was a matter of deep concern and was on the priority agenda of the present government.
She said that the National Population Policy envisioned achieving population stabilisation by 2020 and laid clear short, medium and long term goals. She also underlined the facts that the issue of rapid population growth coupled with low reproductive health status.
She stressed the need that the Partners can facilitate exchange of know how between member states.
Dr Timothee Gandaho stated that population planning was the core of every development plan.
Elaborating the activities and objectives of the partners, he said that the partners have worked closely with UNFPA and other UN agencies and organisations involved in population and development activities, which were recognised by the 21st special session of the General Assembly of UN.