Islamabad: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has stressed the need for evolving a comprehensive and integrated development strategy to effectively address the issue of rising population. He was chairing a meeting of the committee established on the directions of the Prime Minister to control the rapid increase in population in Islamabad today.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Planning Minister emphasized that close coordination and cooperation between the federation and provinces will be ensured for effective population management. He said population growth is not merely a health issue but also has economic and social dimensions, directly affecting all socioeconomic indicators.

Ahsan Iqbal suggested gradually reducing the population-based share in the National Finance Commission Award, so that the allocation of resources is linked to population reduction. He added that the federal government, in collaboration with provincial governments, is formulating a comprehensive action plan in this regard.

Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Musadik Malik, Member of the National Assembly Dr. Saira Afzal Tarar, and renowned sociologist Ms. Zeba Sattar also attended the meeting. It was decided that the committee will meet again within ten days to finalize the recommendations and formulate the future course of action.