Syed Mustafa Kamal has warned that Pakistan could become the world’s fourth most populous nation within the next five years if current growth trends continue. He noted that the country’s population is increasing by approximately 6.2 million people each year, a pace that is placing significant strain on key sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and employment opportunities. According to him, this rapid expansion is becoming one of the most pressing challenges for national planning and long-term economic stability.
At present, Pakistan ranks as the fifth most populous country globally, but it may soon overtake Indonesia if the growth rate remains unchanged. The minister emphasized the urgent need to bring down the fertility rate from 3.6 to around 2.0 in order to ensure sustainable development and improve the quality of life for future generations. He pointed out that countries such as Bangladesh and Iran have successfully managed their population growth through well-planned policies, awareness campaigns, and consistent government efforts, offering valuable lessons for Pakistan to follow.
He further stressed that without timely intervention and effective population management strategies, the increasing burden on national resources could hinder progress and make it more difficult to meet development goals.
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