The uncontrollable increase in population is a major drag on Pakistan's economic development and requires drastic and serious steps to cope with the problems to put the country on the path to progress.
The Annual Plan for 2019-20 stated that Pakistan is constantly facing the grave problem of over-population whereas the country's resources are scarce while slow economic growth does not cater for the needs of the people. The fruits of the economic development are swallowed up by the increasing population, standard of living of the people is not improving as required and every economic and social sector is badly affected.
Thus population control is critical for moving towards a progressive and developed country, noted the Annual Plan. The federal and provincial governments have given commitment to improve demographic indicators especially in light of the recommendations approved by the apex court and the Action Plan developed thereafter.
The population growth rate will be checked in the forthcoming year and outreach of family planning services will be increased by focusing on demand-centred strategies.
This year's plan focuses on awareness campaign, outreach and service delivery of modern method of contraception so that issues of unwanted pregnancies and maternal health can be addressed.
The provincial governments are also expected to give maximum focus to modern method of contraception and effective advocacy campaign. Research on population data for accurate forecasts and use of IT-based monitoring, evaluation and reporting will be enhanced.
In the year 2019-20, final allocation will be made by federal and provincial task forces after considering the approved recommendations of the Supreme Court and the governments' development priorities.
Since the provinces are in the process to approach the Council of Common Interests (CCI) for continuation of federal funding for population welfare programmes of provinces, the federal government is only funding the population welfare programs of special areas. The provinces have proposed some funding for their development plans from their own resources.
The Annual Plan 2019-20 will focus on targeted plans to: decrease the population growth rate (PGR); increase the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) and; (iii) reduce the unmet need of family planning and reduction in total fertility rate (TFR). This year the focus will be on coordination with development partners such as UNFPA, World Bank (WB), DFID and INGOs/ NGOs.
The government will encourage NGOs and development partners to join hand with the Planning Commission and Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination and financially support family planning programmes at federal and provincial levels.