Message from Mr. Asif Ali Zardari President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (On World Population Day on 11th July, 2012)

I am pleased to learn that World Population Day is also being observed in Pakistan today along with the international community to create awareness and muster support for addressing issues in growing population and proportionate development.

The need for addressing population explosion especially in the developing countries such as Pakistan has acquired greater urgency in view of the resource crunch, poverty, inadequate infrastructure and the threats posed by environmental degradation. Indeed the demographic factor has been the single most important factor in the developmental agenda. A balance has to be struck between the population growth and the available resources for sustainable development if quality service is to be provided to everyone especially in the remote and rural areas.

I am pleased to learn that the 26th World Population Day this year is focusing on the availability of reproductive health services. These services are indispensable for the development of any society but have remained elusive to a large number of women.

 The government has accorded high priority to the reproductive health services. In this it is guided by the vision of its leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who while addressing the United Nations – International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) stated, “I dream of a Pakistan, of an Asia, of a world, where every pregnancy is planned, and every child conceived is nurtured, loved, educated and supported”. It is this vision of our great leader that is the driving force behind our reproductive health and family planning programs. Indeed this vision is a beacon of light for millions of poor, marginalized and underprivileged women in the developing countries including Pakistan.

 On this day, I call upon all concerned to work together in creating an environment where our women have an easy and affordable access to complete package of reproductive health services. It is a challenging task involving the family planning counseling, pre-natal care, safe delivery and post-natal care, prevention and appropriate treatment of related disease and most importantly adequate education facilities to plan and manage their family lives. The challenge calls for a combined effort at national level and for the developed countries to assist the developing countries in augmenting efforts to ensure easy and affordable accessibility of the reproductive health services.

 I also urge all concerned to pay greater attention and make greater investment for providing basic education and health services to women especially in the rural areas. While reiterating our Government’s continued commitment towards Population & Development, I urge all of you once again, to join hands in this noble national cause.