Importance of a population policy in Pakistan

The primary purpose of this lecture is to make a case for an integrated and effective population policy in Pakistan. (...) It is suggested that a successful population policy must have a clear focus on increasing the "knowledge factor" in the country through education and advocacy. Based on the policy experiences of other developing countries and the recent demographic realities in Pakistan, an effective population policy must address the following three objectives: (a) reduction in the rate and incidence of unwanted fertility; (b) reduction in demand for large-size families; and (c) greater investment in adolescents to tackle the population momentum problem. The lecture concludes that Pakistan still has a population problem that it must deal with by a comprehensive and effective population programme. Failure to do so would magnify the current problems which are a result of previous policy neglect. (Pak Development Rev/DÜI)