Population growth undermining Pakistan’s progress: Gilani
July 12th, 2011 - 12:09 pm ICT by IANS
Islamabad, July 12 (IANS) High population growth rate is undermining Pakistan’s economic progress, says Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
On World Population Day Monday, Gilani called for steps to check the rapid rise in population. The country’s population is over 170 million, half of which are women.
The prime minister said it was important to plan and balance population growth with country’s resources, equitably and prudently, reported the Associated Press of Pakistan.
He said Pakistan was the sixth most populous country in the world with the highest population growth rate at 2.03 percent among the SAARC countries, resulting in annual addition of 3.6 million people.
He said it was projected to reach 210.13 million by the year 2020,and would double in next 34 years.
Gilani said socio-economic gains already accomplished were largely diluted by the increase in population.
If the population grows faster than economic development, he added, the country would never be able to meet people’s needs for economic and social services.
“Arresting the population growth rate will, therefore, serve the twin objectives of increasing the nation’s capacity to save and invest and simultaneously improve the per capita availability of goods and social services,” he said.
- Check Pakistan's population growth: Gilani - Jul 11, 2011
- India wants to create peaceful environment with neighbours, says Nirupama Rao - Sep 21, 2010
- Transparency promised in full 'spectrum' of new telecom policy (Roundup) - Oct 10, 2011
- Pakistan seeks road connectivity to Central Asia - Oct 10, 2011
- Military should bow to civilian rule, suggests Gilani - Jan 04, 2012
- Pakistan needs political stability: Gilani - Jun 09, 2011
- Gilani seeks more access to EU markets - Jul 20, 2011
- 'Poor healthcare' jeopardizing Indian economic growth - Jan 12, 2011
- Pakistan raises minimum monthly wage - May 01, 2012
- Pakistan, Russia keen for currency swap agreement - Nov 09, 2011
- Women empowerment top priority: Gilani - Jul 13, 2011
- Pakistan pursuing prudent economic policies: Gilani - Jan 20, 2012
- Service tax rate raised by two percent (Lead) - Mar 16, 2012
- Pak govt. determined to fulfil Benazir Bhutto's dream of empowering women: Gilani - Mar 09, 2011
- Pak Govt. in full control of internal situation: Gilani - Dec 14, 2010
Tags: 6 million, economic development, economic gains, economic progress, highest population, islamabad, pakistan, population growth rate, populous country, prime minister, rapid rise, saarc countries, social services, twin objectives, world population day