Seminar Titled “Population Growth and its Impact on Society”

Speakers at a seminar on Thursday called for creating awareness among masses about control over ever-increasing population, becoming responsible for challenges like poverty, food insecurity and unemployment. The seminar titled “population growth and its impact on society” was arranged by Department of Rural Sociology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad in collaboration with Family Planning Association of Pakistan (Rahnuma). Addressing on the occasion, UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that Pakistan is sixth world populous country. He said that natural resources are decreasing whereas the population is increasing with a large pace. He was of the view that increasing population is creating the problems of infrastructure, education and health for the people. He said that the 63 percent of the population was below the age 30. These young people are asset who can change the fate of the country with education. He warned of the more challenges if stepped up efforts were not made in this regard. He directed researcher and social scientists of University to make the issue as permanent feature of university outreach programme in order to sensitizing the public. Talking about the world scenario, he said that world population can touch to nine billion by 2050, which is alarming. Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Prof Dr Iqbal Zafar said that 42 percent of world population was residing in the top six world populous counties. He said that Pakistan population in 1950 was 39 million people. It is now 180 million. The increasing population was a real challenge for the country. He said that 3.8 million of the people are being added to the country annually. Progressive farmer Manzoor Ahmad Khan Thakar said that Pakistan was having the population three times more than its capacity. He suggested the policy measures to control the increasing populations. Department of Rural Sociology Chairman Prof Dr Ashfaq Maann said that rapidly increasing population was the area of concern. He said that the issue can be tackled by educating the public keeping in view the available resources. Family Planning Association President Suraya Jabeen said that the population growth rate in the county was high because of lack of the awareness among the masses. She said that tangible researches on the issue will help the policymakers and other stakeholders to cope with the situation. Dr Sara Akhtar also spoke.