'Population boom hitting economy'

Increase in population is causing threat to stability of country's economy and Pakistan needs an extra 5.67 billion dollars investment annually to create additional GNP of 1.89 billion dollars required to meet the 2.9 million per annum increase in country's population.
This was stated in a report published by Ministry of Population Welfare (MoPW). The report stated that more than 2.9 million annual increase was witnessed in total population of Pakistan. But the GNP per capita is 652 dollars per annum. This means Pakistan needs additional 1.89 billion dollars every year to meet the challenge resultant of this population increase.
The report expressed dismay over the non-co-operative attitude of Pakistan's industrial sector towards production of contraceptives. The MoPW is annually importing contraceptives worth 1.7 million dollars, the report reads.
It was stated in the report that once business community of Pakistan would start production of contraceptives, it would help in saving substantial foreign exchange, besides aiding the economic stability of the country, and provide more jobs opportunities. MoPW in its report stated that it would make all- out efforts to bring the population boom under control and the ministry would use the platform of mosques, press centres and business centres for this purpose. The ministry would make sure the provision of comprehensive family planning and reproductive health services and information.
It was stated in the report that the rural bias in migration of rural population to urban areas is main reason of migration. Migration was not because of lack of facilities in rural areas, but because of rural bias they are shifting towards urban areas, which resulted in unplanned cities, slums and complete disruption of civic facilities in cities, the report revealed.
Discussing the adverse effects of unmanaged growth in population, the report stated that, in spite of 273 times (from Rs 20 billion in 1950 to Rs 5,458 billion in 2004) increase in GDP, the per capita income grew only 61 times (from Rs 593 in 1950 to Rs 36,422 in 2004).
Even after a rise of 3.5 times increase in primary schools (from 44,000 in 1961 to 156,000 in 2004), the number of illiterate persons has risen 2.4 times (from 22 million in 1961 to 52 million in 2004).
As a result of population growth, unemployment would not be arrested in spite of 2 times increase in employment (from 18.5 million in 1970-71 to 40.5 million in 2004-5), as the unemployment has arisen 9 times (0.4 million in 1970-71 to is 3.6 million in 2004-5), report reads.
Report stated that in 1951, 5,650 cubic meter water was available to every citizen, which dwindled to 1,200 cubic meter in 2002. In 2020 this shortage will reach the nadir of 885 cubic meters.
Report totally rejects the possible risks arising from use of contraceptive, and says that use of contraceptives is completely safe and there is no second opinion in this regard around the globe.