128 million added to country's population during 58 years

Almost 128 million persons were added to the country's population during the last 58 years (1951-2008) whereas the annual growth has risen from 1 percent to 2 percent reflecting that if it continued with the same pace the population would double in 2045, Business Recorder learnt. World Population day is being observed every year on July, 11.
This year the theme of the World Population Day is 'It's a right, lets make it real.' Like every year this year Ministry of Population Welfare has lined up a number of events and advocacy campaigns to celebrate the day. But unfortunately all these efforts are meant only for the day and do not last long. Pakistan, with a population of 160.9 million in mid 2008 is ranked 6th among most populous countries of the world.
According to Economic Survey 2007-2008, the population of the country has increased ten folds since 1901. The population density has increased to 203 persons per square kilometer from 42.5 persons per square kilometers in 1951, which is almost a four time increase. The urban population has increased from 6 million in 1951 to 57 million at present.
This increase in the population is putting pressure on the available infrastructure such as water and sanitation, electricity, gas, transportation, education and health facilities etc. According to experts such increase in the population could be a disaster for the overall national development and sustained economic growth.
Therefore, it is essential to stabilise population by decreasing burden on existing infrastructure. According to Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) about 26 percent of the married couples are using contraceptive hence proper family planning measures are needed to increase their use.
Despite a considerable decline in the total mortality rate, infant mortality remains high at 76.7 per thousand live births in 2005-06. Throughout the country a number of programmes are being run by the Government. But due to the lack of financial and other resources, the programmes did not turn out effectively.