The Directorate General Population Welfare, Health & Population Department Punjab organised a provincial conference of social opinion influencers under the ADP scheme Engagement of Social Opinion Influencers to Promote Family Planning at Faletti’s Hotel, Lahore, bringing representatives from Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Sargodha, Vehari, D.G. Khan, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Pakpattan and Khushab to focus on community engagement and public trust.
The gathering aimed to engage religious leaders, imams, khateebs and social opinion influencers in constructive dialogue to raise awareness about family welfare and the importance of balanced population growth. Minister for Health & Population Khawaja Imran Nazir attended as chief guest and highlighted that the Government of Punjab is working hand in hand with religious scholars to safeguard the health and well being of mothers and children, reinforcing family planning as part of broader maternal and child health efforts.
Director General Population Welfare Captain (R) Aurangzeb Haider Khan praised the active role of religious leaders in removing misconceptions and strengthening public confidence in population welfare programmes. Other distinguished participants included Dr. Muhammad Shehzad Mujaddadi, Dr. Tariq Pirzada, Ms. Asma Naz Abbasi and Muhammad Afzal Chaudhry, who joined deliberations on how to advance community outreach under the ADP initiative.
Senior scholars present clarified that family planning is not contrary to Islamic teachings but is a wise and socially responsible practice that supports household wellbeing and sustainable development. Representatives from all religious sects, minority communities and female social opinion influencers took part, underlining unity and inclusivity in efforts to build consensus around family welfare policies.
Participants agreed unanimously that mother and child health must remain central to population and development efforts and that ongoing dialogue across religious, social and administrative spheres is essential to expand the reach of family planning programmes. The conference signalled a coordinated approach in Punjab to strengthen communication, reduce misconceptions and promote maternal and child health through trusted community voices and targeted engagement under the Family Planning agenda.
