Dr. Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Health in a statement here today said the 1st meeting of the Federal Task Force on Alarming Population Growth in Pakistan presided by the President of Pakistan is a major step forward and an important landmark.
The agenda of the meeting was to approve National Action Plan, discuss National Narrative prepared on the direction of CCI’s decision taken in its 40th meeting held on 19th November, 2018 and set up the Pakistan Population Fund.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Dr. Zafar Mirza shared with the forum that Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world with a population of 207.8 Million growing at an intercensal growth rate of 2.4% per annum between 1998-2017. He pointed out that current rate Pakistan’s population will double in the next 30 years, compared with an average doubling time of 60 years for other South Asian countries.
With this context, CCI directed Ministry of National Health Services to prepare an action plan with financial modalities for operationalization of the recommendations in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and submit for the approval of the Federal Task Force.
The Action Plan prepared by Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination spells out the actions required to implement each CCI Recommendation with timeline, budget and output / impact indicators. It also indicates the responsible body to carry out the Action Plan and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of the particular Action. This Action Plan aims to Increase the present Contraceptive Prevalence Rate of 34% to 50% by 2025 and 60% by 2030, Reduce the present Fertility Rate of 3.6 births per woman to 2.8 births by 2025 and 2.2 birth per woman by 2030 and lower the present Average Population Growth Rate of 2.4% to 1.5% by 2025, and to 1.1% by 2030.
The Federal Task Force meeting also decided to create a Pakistan Population Fund. The fund shall be utilized:
1. To meet 50% amount of additional allocations made by the provinces for procurement of contraceptive commodities over and above the budget provision for 5 years.
2. 50% cost of increase in LHWs for 100% coverage for doorstep services in rural and peri- urban areas
3. Support innovative approaches of Federal & Provincial Governments for reaching poor and marginalized population to reduce population growth and increase contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR).
A National Narrative was deliberated to create a sense of urgency and necessity of reducing population growth rate and achieving socio-economic wellbeing for all.
Dr. Zafar Mirza made a detailed presentation on each agenda item and after thorough discussion Action Plan was approved by the forum. It was agreed by the members of task force to convene the next meeting in a month's time.
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