Population growth puts pressure on health, education: minister.

ISLAMABAD -- National Health Services (NHS) Minister Abdul Qadir Patel on Monday said uncontrolled population increase puts pressure on the already fragile health and education sectors besides affecting climate change.

He was speaking at an Ulema Conference, arranged by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination in collaboration with the Council of Islamic Ideology.

The conference has brought together renowned religious scholars from various schools of thought.

The health minister, who was the chief guest, said: 'Though previous governments have made efforts to control population, we have not been able to achieve our goals. We must strive to work on this,' he said.

Mr Patel said role of ulema has a very important role in controlling unabated growth of population through awareness campaign and appreciated the efforts of the population programme wing for taking ulema on board.

In addition, he emphasised that the Ulema play and integral role in the social fabric of the society. Furthermore, he stressed upon the need of replicating these efforts on a provincial level.

According to a statement issued by NHS ministry, for the operationalisation and implementation of CCI-recommendations, a population action plan in consultation with the provinces and other stakeholders was prepared by the ministry of health and approved by the Federal Task...