Business Recorder
KARACHI: Government and opposition members of the Sindh Assembly stressed in a key policy meeting ahead of the budget that the upcoming Sindh Budget 2026–27 should prioritize balancing population and resources and focus on human development. The dialogue was organised by the Population Council with the support of UNFPA, with the aim of turning policies on reducing the rapid population growth rate into concrete actions and incorporating them into the budget. Chief guest, Provincial Minister for Health and Population Welfare Dr. Azra Fazl Pechuho, said that the issue of rapid population growth is not limited to one sector but is linked to employment, food, education, and environmental problems. She said, “Until we make population part of all development projects, we cannot achieve progress.” She also emphasised that men’s role in family planning is very important and practical steps are being taken in Sindh to involve men in this. She urged assembly members to include the issue of rapid population growth in their budget speeches. Population Council Country Advisor Dr. Zeba Sattar said that a budget is not just an account of expenditures but also determines the direction of policies. “We need to see whether our budget is actually meeting the health needs of the people, especially reproductive health needs.” Economist Dr. Hammad Mukhtar said that in Pakistan the real issue is not resources but priorities. He said, “Very little is being spent on the population sector, even though this investment is very beneficial for both the economy and society.” He warned that if the issue of rapid population growth is not addressed, progress in education, health, and the economy will remain limited. UNFPA’s Dr. Jamil Ahmed Chaudhry said that Pakistan has made important international agreements to reduce the rapid population growth rate, but the real need is to implement them. He said, “We need to focus especially on delivering family planning services to remote areas and make better use of local resources for this purpose.” During the meeting, Sindh Assembly members agreed that the real issue is not making laws but their implementation and accountability. They demanded that adequate funds be allocated in the budget for family planning and health for human welfare and development, and said they would play an effective role in balancing resources and putting Sindh on the path to development. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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