9,700 maternal deaths are reported in Pakistan every year: Seminar told.

KARACHI -- Marie Stopes Society (MSS) hosted a seminar 'Sehatmand ma, sehatmandbache, sehatmand Pakistan' highlighting that a healthy mother leads to healthy children, thereby contributing to a healthy Pakistan.

The chief guest of the seminar was Secretary of Population Welfare Department, Zahid Ali Abbasi. The seminar, which was held in Karachi to mark the International World Contraception Day, stressed upon the need for family planning and birth spacing as the basic right of the mother and the child.

Other distinguished panelists at the seminar were Prof. Dr. Sadiah Pal, leading Gynecologist and a senior member at National Committee for Maternal and Neonatal Health (NCMNH), Syed Nasir Imam, Country Lead Public Affairs and Communication - Pfizer, Asma Balal, Country Director at MSS and Mr. Rashid Sami, Filmmaker. The panel was moderated by Dr. Xaher Gul, Director Strategy at MSS. The seminar was told that 9,700 maternal deaths are reported in Pakistan every year.

'Given the high rates of maternal mortality, childhood stunting and above 38% of the country's population living in poverty...