Experts at a seminar held on Saturday titled "At 70: Pakistan's Population at Cross Roads" highlighted various aspects of migration, population, family planning, culture and other socio-economic factors in Pakistan and its impact on the country. The seminar was hosted by the Sukh Initiative and Aman Health Care Services in collaboration with Basic Needs Pakistan.
The crux of the seminar was the realistic assessment and impact of population and other issues on the economy of the country. Professor Jenifer Leaning, a leading public health expert at the South Asia Institute and Harvard University presented her pioneering work on Humanitarian implications for refugees across geographies including the partition of British India in 1947. She highlighted her work on the humanitarian aspect of the traumatic partition based on personal accounts and public archives and shared a strong yet unique insight about the lives of people in transition.
Other panelists include prominent social Scientist and Demographer, Dr Mehtab S Karim presented his work on demographic trends, rapid population growth and urbanization over the last several decades. Renowned politician, educationists and development expert, Ms Shahnaz Wazir Ali reflected on the state of public and private education system and role of government in shaping demographic landscape.
Javed Jabbar, former Senator and Federal Minister gave an insight on the influence of migration in cultural landscape of Pakistan. He shared that there is a positive impact of migration that is being reflected in arts and culture but there is insulation and isolation as well. Our national language - Urdu is a product of migration. He emphasized that access is the key that can transform the population scenario in Pakistan.
Dr Haris, a leading family planning expert and Head of the Sukh Initiative discussed about working at micro level in peri-urban settings in relation to family planning. Reflecting the learning of Sukh Initiative, he shared that it is essential to engage communities by acknowledging their culture, providing access and holding their hands to progress to next level of well-being.
Chairperson Basic Needs Pakistan and Trustee Aman Foundation, Dr Saadia Quraishy, who also moderated the panel discussion emphasized on understanding and learning from the past and moving ahead with a positive approach to strengthen Pakistan. The seminar concluded with token of appreciation to the esteemed panelist. The participants encouraged that such forums are important to educate public and gain commitment from all stakeholders to address such problems.-PR
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