Pakistan’s Health Minister Sounds Alarm on Population Growth Crisis

Federal Health Minister Dr. Mustafa Kamal has issued a stark warning about Pakistan’s rapidly rising population, calling it a national crisis that threatens the country’s development and stability2.

Alarming Statistics

• Pakistan’s population is growing by 6.1 million people annually
• The fertility rate stands at 3.6 per woman, the highest in South Asia
• Over 25 million children are out of school, and 40% suffer from malnutrition

Strain on Public Services

Minister Kamal highlighted how overcrowded hospitals resemble “political rallies,” with doctors treating hundreds of patients daily. He criticized the healthcare system’s focus on treatment over prevention, citing contaminated water as the source of 68% of diseases.

Proposed Reforms

• Revise the National Finance Commission (NFC) formula to discourage population-based fund allocation
• Remove 18% GST on contraceptives and promote local production
• Integrate family planning into immunization programs for broader reach

Religious & Political Support

Islamic scholar Mufti Zubair affirmed that family planning aligns with Islamic values. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf backed bipartisan legislative action, while UNFPA pledged continued support