ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday called upon all stakeholders to promote health, wellbeing and empowerment by placing women, children and young people at the center of our country’s development efforts, while appealing for urgent fulfillment of their social responsibilities.
In his message on World Population Day, PM Sharif underscored that youth held a central position in shaping the future of the country, and the government should provide a “conducive environment” for the new generation.
World Population Day was established in 1989, observed each year on July 11, and sought to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues.
According to the last census by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), as of 2023, the total population of the country was 241.4 million. Among the total, 117.1 million were women and 124.3 million were men.
“To fully harness the potential of the youthful population and reap positive outcomes, continuous investment in available national resources and a comprehensive strategy are indispensable,” PM Sharif said.
According to a statement on the Prime Minister’s Office X account, the premier described young people as "a tremendous national asset and a powerful driver of economic and social progress."
"Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world and ranks among the countries with a significant youth population. More than 65% of our population is under the age of 30," he said.
The PM added that the federal government had established the National Council for Population to ensure policy coordination between federal and provincial governments and institutional linkages for optimal population planning.
"The Council will duly accord priority to integrating population-related issues into the national development agenda, promoting women's empowerment, advancing human resource development, and formulating evidence-based policies that support long-term social and economic prosperity," the prime minister said.
He called on the federal and provincial governments, parliamentarians, development partners, civil society, academia, the private sector, religious scholars, the media and local communities to "recognize the urgency of the population issue" and promote "informed decision-making, responsible parenthood, gender equality and sustainable development."
'Access to healthcare, education necessary'
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan's youthful population presented "a unique opportunity for national progress" if supported through investment in education, healthcare, skills and employment.
"If provided with quality education, healthcare, skills and employment opportunities, our youth can become a powerful demographic dividend, driving economic growth, innovation and social development," he said, adding that "investing in young people today is an investment in Pakistan's future."
The president also stressed the need to improve the health and wellbeing of women and children, saying maternal health, child survival, nutrition, education and access to essential healthcare services remained "fundamental pillars of sustainable development."
"A society cannot prosper when mothers face preventable risks during pregnancy and childbirth, when children suffer from malnutrition or when girls are denied opportunities to learn and thrive," he said.
Ensuring that every woman has access to quality healthcare and that every child receives the care, nutrition and education necessary to reach their full potential is both a moral responsibility and a national imperative, according to the president.
"Together, we can transform our demographic strengths into lasting national prosperity and human development," President Zardari said.
