Seminar for integrated planning to combat rapid population growth.

MIRPUR (AJK) -- The largely: attended seminar titled 'Human Rights Based Approach (HRB) in Family Planning' concluded with recommendations for exercising an integrated and vibrant population planning program across the country including AJK to combat growing challenges caused by the rapid population growth.

The grand event was hosted by Azad Jammu and Kashmir Population Welfare Department, with the support of UNFPA and Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination for the capacity building of healthcare providers in the AJK.

On the occasion, AJK Population Welfare Secretary Raja Muhammad Razzaque emphasized upon the participants to show passion and commitment to provide relief to the community and rationalizing the population growth through effective implementation of the population welfare program in AJK.

He specifically mentioned the salient features of suo moto human right case of Supreme Court of Pakistan against rapid population growth in the country.

He emphasized the need for functional integration of family planning services between Health and Population departments and urged to redefine the role of population welfare departments. He while highlighting the complexities of procurement of contraceptives through international biddings suggested that the federal government may come in aid of regional governments for pool procurement to ensure economy of scale besides guarantying contraceptive commodity security in country.

Similarly, he strongly advocated for elimination of gender based violence and supported women empowerment for family planning and social development.

Earlier, Dr Mustafa Bashir Abbasi, AJK Minister for Population, TEVTA and Information Technology underlined rapid population growth as biggest challenge and urged the healthcare providers in AJK to focus their duties with...