Unchecked population growth a major challenge in ensuring sustainable growth: PM

ISLAMABAD, Mar 9 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Friday said that unchecked population growth was a major challenge in ensuring sustainable growth and needed immediate attention of the provincial governments.
He said that there was a need for greater investment for enhancing access and quality of service delivery in this sector especially for the people of far-flung areas and to integrate these programs with health service delivery programs being provided at gross root levels.
The prime minister stated this during a meeting with a delegation of Population Council headed by its Country Director Dr. Zeba A. Sathar (Tamgha-i-Imtiaz) at Prime Minister Office. The delegation included Dr. Ali Mohammad Mir, Director Programs, Ms. Seemin Ashfaq and Dr. Hanid Mukhtar, senior economist.
Dr. Zeba A. Sathar presented an overview of the demography of the country and its impact on economic growth in comparison with other Muslim countries of the world as well as countries in the region.
She also presented Council’s recommendations which could help to overcome the challenge of
rapid population growth and encourage the provincial governments to undertake effective measures for managing population growth.
The prime minister assured the delegation that the issue would be taken up with the provincial governments at the platform of Council of Common Interests (CCI) for a consensus-based national strategy.