First Meeting of Federal Task Force on Population a major step, says Zafar Mirza.

Islamabad -- Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health has said that 1st meeting of the Federal Task Force on Alarming Population Growth in Pakistan presided by the President of Pakistan is a major step forward and an important landmark.

The agenda of the meeting was to approve National Action Plan, discuss National Narrative prepared on the direction of CCI's decision taken in its 40th meeting held on 19th November, 2018 and set up the Pakistan Population Fund.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister Dr. Zafar Mirza shared with the forum that Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world with a population of 207.8 Million growing at an intercensal growth rate of 2.4% per annum between 1998-2017. He pointed out that current rate Pakistan's population will double in the next 30 years, compared with an average doubling time of 60 years for other South Asian countries.

With this context, CCI directed Ministry of National Health Services to prepare an action plan with financial modalities for operationalization of the recommendations in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and submit for the approval of the Federal Task Force.

The Action Plan prepared by Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination spells out the actions required to implement each CCI Recommendation with timeline, budget and output / impact indicators. It also indicates the responsible body to carry out the Action Plan and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of the particular Action. This Action Plan aims to Increase the...