Pakistan seeks military chief's help to tackle population surge

Pakistan's federal government is placing significant hope on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to help curb the nation's escalating population growth rate, a challenge that has persisted for over three years. Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal revealed this strategy during a joint meeting of Senate committees focused on national health services and human rights. The government views the issue with utmost seriousness, evidenced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's convening of high-level meetings and the formation of a dedicated committee, which includes Field Marshal Munir, to tackle the problem.

Kamal highlighted a critical flaw in the current National Finance Commission (NFC) Award formula, which allocates 82% of resources based on population. He argued that this system inadvertently incentivizes provinces to maintain or increase their populations, as larger populations result in greater fund allocation. To counteract this, Kamal proposed that only 50% of the NFC formula should be tied to population figures, suggesting a shift towards other metrics for resource distribution. Additionally, the government has granted tax exemptions on contraceptive products to address the limited availability that contributes to high birth rates, which currently stand at approximately 6.7 million annually.

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The government is treating this issue with the highest priority and important policy decisions are being taken at every level.

The meeting also addressed the complexities arising from the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which devolved population welfare subjects to the provinces. Lawmakers expressed concern that federal decisions might not be enforceable on provincial governments. While the Council of Islamic Ideology confirmed no religious objections to population control measures, the Ministry of Law indicated that parliament cannot legislate on matters exclusively under provincial jurisdiction. This leaves the government facing a legislative hurdle in implementing a coordinated national population control policy, despite recognizing the urgency and the need for both government action and public participation.

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If a province succeeds in reducing its population growth, its NFC share declines, whereas a province with a larger population receives more funds.