Provincial Minister for Finance Dr Aisha Ghous Pasha and Minister for Population welfare Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bherath has said that all the developed countries across the world promoting family planning to balance between needs and resources . As per recent census Pakistan is the 5th largest country in terms of population and Punjab is at the top. To meet the living expenses women needs to work with men shoulder to shoulder and contribute in the growth of economy. For the contribution of women in all walks and to build the healthy society it is important to follow the family planning policy.
She express these views while addressing a seminar organized by mutual contribution of Population council and UKaid regarding Increasing Accesses to Reproductive Healthcare Through Improved Service Delivery & Increased Private Sector Participation. Health Advisor DIFD Dr. Anthony Daly, Country Director Population Council Dr. Zeba A.Sathar, Mulana Abdul Kabir, Member Health P&D Board Dr. Shabana, Secretary Population Punjab Ambreen Raza, CEO Punjab Population Fund Jawad Qureshi and Additional Director Training Dr Naeem Majeed where also present there. Dr Ayesha Pasha said that Punjab Government has whole heartedly taken up the challenge of tackling rapid population growth by reducing unmet need and increasing the uptake of family Planning. This is Particularly an important part of the Punjab growth strategy and also at the heart of addressing the SDGs. She further said that We in Punjab have to compare ourselves with more developed countries of the region. We now recognize more than ever before that there is a need to accelerate the fertility decline which is not fast enough to us to achieve our development goals. We have to empower our women by providing her the facilities of health, education and skills development to ensure their participation in development. In this regard we are upgrading health facilities in THQ and BHUs .we are also providing family health counseling through Lady health workers and Mid wives and mobile health services in rural area. Minister for Population, while addressing the Seminar said that PWD Punjab is striving to focus on 100 and 20 Million additional users of Modern contraceptives by 2020. It is critical milestone which is achievable by multi sectoral approach. He further said that by achieving the goal of FP2020 we will not only addressing the reproductive health issues but we will also addressing the key issues loke gender Equality, empowerment of women, poverty eradication, better access to education and nutrition. Molana Abdul Qabeer said that life saving is a religious obligation. Family planning with the purpose of mother and infant health is according to Islam and Shariah.Dr. Zebah, Ms. Ambreen Raza, Mr. Jawwad Qureshi and Naeem Majeed also addressed the seminar. Minister Finance and Minister for Population thanked UKaid and Population council for their efforts in this regard and assured them complete cooperate.
