Pakistan’s population
problem
The quality of human resources determines the destiny and
direction of a country. A double-edged sword, the population of a society can
be an asset or a liability — or both. A productive, diligent, dedicated and
dynamic workforce guarantees sustainable national development. Though the
advanced healthcare, medical technology and ample food production have reduced
mortality rates and increased average population growth, countries across the
world have been focusing on the pragmatic strategies of balancing its growth
and capitalising on it.
For instance, with the highest population in the world,
China has capitalised on its human resources so much so that its pragmatic
contribution has made it a world power on almost all fronts. Meanwhile, a
poorly managed population adds liabilities with lasting detrimental
implications for societies.
Pakistan presents a case study of population mismanagement
and disproportionate growth. Despite potential demography with a whopping 64%
of the youth population, the country failed to capitalise on its human capital.
This is mainly because successive governments, comprising chronic power hunger
elite, have kept their vested interests ahead of national welfare or human
potential. Had they capitalised on the potential human resources, the country
could have been doing wonders in all fields of life. However, a traditional
systematic neglect, exclusivist approach, chronic elite capture, social
disparity, feudalism, lack of social engagement, quality education and
healthcare have turned the population into a ticking time bomb.
More worrying, however, is the authority’s lasting stupor to
the menace of the ever bourgeoning population of the country. The apathy is
manifested in disproportionate population growth in the country. At the time of
its inception, Pakistan ranked 14th in the world with 33 million
people. However, in three-quarters of a century, its population soared to 224
million and now it is the 5th most populous country in the
world. With the current annual growth rate of nearly 2%, the highest in South
Asia, the country is estimated to witness a 56% increase with 366 million
people in 2050 — indeed an alarming situation.
Many independent and overlapping factors have contributed to
the population explosion in the country. Governmental apathy and flawed
population planning; misinterpretation of religion and unfounded customs; high
birth and low mortality rates; poverty and illiteracy; low contraception
prevalence and birth control awareness; the custom of child marriage and preference
for the son; lack of public places and recreational activities; and the
conflicts and displacements have played their role.
The country’s bourgeoning population has serious
implications — undue burden on resources and space; poverty and unemployment; food
scarcity and water crisis; housing issues and growth of slums; healthcare
problems and illiteracy; corruption and mismanagement; growing crimes and
conflicts; populism and ethnic tensions; terrorism and radicalisation;
sanitation problems and lethal diseases; child labour and improvised living
standards; depletion of natural resources; and environmental degradation.
The worsening implications of overpopulation call for
pragmatic population control and management measures at all levels. For this
purpose, acknowledgement of overpopulation as an existential threat would be
the first step towards a balanced and productive human resources. The
government’s will and pragmatic population planning; increasing contraceptive
prevalence; engaging religious scholars and realistic interpretation of
religion; increasing literacy and women’s education; checking the practice of
child marriages and debunking traditional myths; ensuring implementation of
limited child policies and rewarding the same; increasing public places and
recreational activities; disseminating awareness through media; creating
opportunities; and engaging youth in the national affairs would go a long way
in building a balanced and proficient population in the country.
It’s time for the
leadership to realise that only a limited, inclusive and well-managed
population can steer the country on the road to sustainable development and
equalitarianism.