They were addressing a seminar titled "Population Dynamics in Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities" organised by Punjab University Institute of Social and Cultural Studies here on Thursday.
PU ISCS Director Professor Dr Rubeena Zakar, Deputy Secretary, Population Welfare Department Government of the Punjab Dr Ayesha Qureshi, Principal Population Welfare Training Institute, Lahore Rukhsana Kausar, Provincial Manager MCSP USAID Afshan Ameen, Assistant Professor Rahila Rahat, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.
Addressing the seminar, Dr Rubeena said that if population growth remains uncontrolled, it would have far reaching consequences on development, environment, health and other relevant sectors in Pakistan. She further said that investment on girl's education was the best solution to reduce population growth in the country. She said because of rapid increase in population, the next generation could face various challenges, ie, unemployment, price hike, polluted environment, over-crowded urban areas, lack of natural resources etc.
She said that the aim of this seminar was to sensitize students on population issues and small family norms and mobilize them for creating awareness in their respective communities. She said that population issues were core concepts in teaching and research activities at the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies. Dr Ayesha Qureshi clarified the popular myths associated with family planning and elaborated the role of Population Welfare Department in this important matter.
Rukhsana Kausar explained salient features of Punjab Population Policy 2017 and informed the students about the crucial role of Health Department in providing family planning services.
Ms Afshan Ameen, provincial manager MCSP USAID, elaborated that effective family planning programs can help in enhancing women's health, education and employment opportunities which in turn leads to women empowerment.