Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established the National Population Council to address Pakistan’s growing population challenges and develop effective national policies.
According to an official notification, the Prime Minister will serve as the chairman of the newly formed council.
The initiative aims to strengthen coordination among federal and provincial institutions while improving long-term population planning across the country.
Prime Minister to Chair the Council
Under the newly issued notification, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will head the National Population Council.
Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has been included among the council’s members.
The formation of the council reflects the government’s effort to bring together key stakeholders for national population planning.
Provincial Leadership Included
The council will include representation from all provinces and regions. The chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan will serve as members.
In addition, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan will also participate in the council.
Their inclusion aims to strengthen coordination between the federal government and regional administrations.
Federal Ministers to Play Key Role
Several senior federal ministers have also been appointed as members of the National Population Council.
These include ministers responsible for:
- Planning
- Finance
- Health
- Education
- Law
Their participation is expected to support the development of coordinated policies addressing population-related challenges.
Council to Meet Twice Each Year
According to the notification, the National Population Council will hold two meetings every year.
The Ministry of Population Planning will serve as the council’s secretariat and coordinate its administrative functions.
The ministry will also facilitate meetings and support the implementation of the council’s decisions.
Religious Scholars and Civil Society to Participate
The government has also decided to include representatives from different sectors of society.
Religious scholars, members of civil society, and representatives from the private sector will become part of the council. Their participation is intended to encourage broader consultation during the policy-making process.
Through the formation of the National Population Council, the government aims to improve coordination among public institutions and develop comprehensive strategies to address Pakistan’s growing population challenges.
