ISLAMABAD, July 15, 2026: Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday called for a broad national consensus on responsible population planning, saying Pakistan’s future was closely linked with greater investment in youth education, healthcare and skills development.
Speaking at a ceremony held in Islamabad to mark World Population Day 2026, he said the country’s expanding population should be viewed both as a major challenge and an opportunity. He noted that more than 65 percent of Pakistan’s population was below the age of 30, giving the country a substantial demographic dividend if backed by sustained investment in human development.
Gilani said rapid population growth was increasing pressure on healthcare, education, employment, water resources and the environment. He stressed that population planning should be made an integral part of Pakistan’s economic and development policies.
The Senate Chairman described family planning as an important means of improving maternal and child health, reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development.
He underlined the need for cooperation across party lines and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting legislative and policy initiatives for responsible population planning. He also emphasised the importance of stronger parliamentary oversight in this regard.
Gilani urged political leaders, religious scholars, community representatives and the media to help raise awareness and remove misconceptions about family planning, calling it a shared national responsibility.
He appreciated the role of the Ministry of National Health Services, provincial governments, UNFPA and development partners in advancing Pakistan’s population and development agenda. He expressed confidence that coordinated efforts could help convert the country’s population into a source of national strength and prosperity.
