A seminar on population issues.

FAISALABAD Jan 23: With more than 241.5 million people, the country is on course to cross 300 million by 2030 and edge towards 400 million by 2050 based on current growth rates of 2.55 percent annually that has become a severe challenge for living and meeting the demands of ever-increasing population. It was stated by speakers while addressing a seminar on population issues arranged by Department of Rural Sociology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), on the directives of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali to create awareness, emerging demographic challenges and socio-economic impacts. Addressing the participants, Dr Naima Nawaz emphasized community awareness, behavioral change, access to reproductive health services and informed decision-making to ensure a healthier and balanced society for future generations. She said that population growth has a direct impact on health, education, employment and natural resources. She underlined the importance of education, particularly female education, in controlling population growth. Deputy District Population Welfare Officer Tayyaba Azam Khan stressed that population management is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated efforts from academia and communities. She emphasized awareness, family planning services, women empowerment and youth engagement as key strategies for achieving sustainable development. Muhammad Anwar Ahmad, Punjab Family Planning Program Divisional Coordinator said that unchecked population growth poses serious challenges to economic stability, food security and social development. He stressed that collaboration between academic institutions and population welfare departments is essential to promote responsible population management and sustainable societal growth.