Population boom straining resources: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday cautioned that the country’s rapidly growing population is placing increasing strain on national resources, warning that the demographic surge has become a serious threat to sustainable development and long-term economic stability.

Chairing a high-level meeting on population welfare, the prime minister stressed that population planning must be closely aligned with broader national priorities, including economic growth, human development, and long-term resource management.

In a notable development underscoring the sensitivity of the issue, the meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, signalling the extent to which demographic pressures are now being viewed through a national strategic lens.

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The prime minister observed that maintaining a balance between population growth and available resources was essential for ensuring sustainable development. “Without this equilibrium, development gains cannot be maintained,” he noted, directing authorities to expedite steps for strengthening institutional mechanisms to address the issue.

During the meeting, the prime minister ordered the early convening of the inaugural session of the National Population Council (NPC), a proposed apex body intended to guide nationwide population policy.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026