ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Dr. Arif Alvi has underscored the need for concerted efforts for promoting family planning and checking the growing population of the Country.
While chairing the 5th meeting of the Federal Task Force on Alarming Population Growth in Pakistan at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Friday, the president called upon all stakeholders to take measures for achieving the goals spelt out in the Action Plan on population.
The Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRC) Dr. Faisal Sultan, the Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Khalid Khurshid, the Health Minister Sindh Dr. Azhra Fazal Pechucho, the Minister of Population Punjab Col (retd) Hashim Dogar, the Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Dr. Qibla Ayaz, the Chief Secretary Punjab via video link, the Provincial Secretaries of Punjab, KPK, Sindh, the DG Population Dr. Sabina Durrani, the Country Director Population Council, Islamabad Dr. Zeba Sathar, the Country Representative of UNFPA, technical experts and senior officials of federal and provincial governments attended the meeting.
The Ministry of NHSRC gave a detailed presentation on the implementation status of decisions taken in the 4th Meeting of the Federal Task Force on Population.
It was informed that the provincial governments were allocating more funds, enhancing the availability of contraceptives, raising awareness through media and training the human resource for family planning and population control.
The president was briefed that Ulemas, Khateebs and religious leaders were being engaged to promote healthy family during their sermons, particularly in the province of Punjab.
Addressing the meeting, the president said that the Ulema and Media had a vital role in educating the people about family planning in their Friday sermons and talk shows.
President Arif Alvi advised the provincial governments to adopt an integrated approach and share their expertise, research, and experiences with each other regarding their family planning strategy.
The president lauded the Ministry of National Health Service Regulations & Coordination and UNFPA for organizing the International Donors Conference.
