As of July 21, 2012 the world human population is estimated to be 7.028 billion, while by the year 2050, it is forecasted that the planet’s population would touch the figure of 9.1 billion. According to an estimate, human population in Pakistan will hit the mark of 348.7 million by the year 2050, making the country fourth populated country of the world after China, India and USA.
Pakistan in 1950 on the world map was 13th populated country on the globe with a population of 39.7 million. The current population of the country is 180 million, making it the 6th populated country of the world. Over the last 62 years, there has been a phenomenal increase in the national population by 353 percent.
The current population growth rate estimated is estimated to be around 2.6 percent. Overpopulation poses great constraints to our economic and social development. In the current state of the affairs, our roads remain jammed for hours. Loadshedding keeps people in darkness for 6-8 hours a day, besides causing losses to businesses. The low economic growth rate does not suffice to provide required health and educational facilities to increasing population. Rapid urbanization is creating slums. Solid waste is piling up in streets and markets, and there is no safe and sound system of its collection. Health indicators in the country, particularly in terms of infant mortality and maternal mortality rates are much below the international standards. Literacy rate is already low, and education is likely to suffer with increasing population and low GDP growth rate. Though a list of the difficulties that people face on day to day basis is long, yet it is a glimpse of national vows.
Overpopulation problems must not be seen in isolated term, but various factors like population, poverty, peace and illiteracy are interlinked, which are reinforcing each other and need to be seen in context of totality. Owing to illiteracy, in some cultures, more kids are considered as a symbol of prestige by men. Due to lack of security in rural areas, people have developed a tendency to create a huge family to confront local feuds.  Poverty is another dimension of the problem. In rural areas, poverty is widespread and mainstay of people is on agriculture. Children often become cost free family labours to work in farms, so it benefit farmers to reduce cost of production. The increasing population is putting a severe stress on the natural resources and creating massive environmental pollution, deforestation and loss of biodiversity. Yet, lack of access to resources is a major cause of conflicts and crimes.
Only promoting the technique of contraceptives is not enough to confront the problem, but empowerment of women in terms of provision of extended education and employment opportunities would be necessary, enabling women to make decisions on sustainable and affordable size of family. It will be catastrophic for the people, if population of the country climbs up to 348.7 million by the year 2050. Only an integrated approach with a right blend of policies could be the saviors.
JAVED IQBAL,
Lahore, July 22.