ISLAMABAD - National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS) organised an orientation seminar entitled 'Population Challenges and Responsible Parenthood' for students and faculty members at Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST) on Tuesday.
The seminar aimed to highlight that the youth should realise the issues and challenges emerging due to rapid population growth and its untoward implications on socio-economic development in Pakistan. It was also emphasised that the students should act as responsible parents when they become mothers and fathers in the future years of their lives so that they may contribute meaningfully for enhancing the next generation's quality of life.
The seminar was attended by Abdul Basit Khan, executive director NIPS, Dr RK Malik, head of campus, faculty members and a large number of students from SZABIST.
During the seminar two topics were discussed. Population dynamics and implication of overpopulation was covered by Rabia Zafar, associate fellow NIPS. She discussed the population situation in the world and in Pakistan and presented the comparison of Pakistan's demographic indicators with other regional and Muslim countries. Responsible parenthood was presented by Dr Margaret Nazli, senior fellow (HRD) NIPS. She said that responsible parenthood is a shared responsibility of the husband and the wife to determine and achieve the desired number, spacing, and timing of their children according to their own family life aspirations, taking into account psychological preparedness, health status, socio-cultural, and economic concerns.
Abdul Basit Khan while addressing the audience said that the NIPS is curtain raiser for an advocacy campaign on responsible parenthood and the series of seminars has already been started for the students at university level. He highlighted the population issue and said that it is not only the duty of the government to control the population but we all are equally responsible to perform our due role to come out of this population war.
He also stressed upon significance of the message for the youths to change their thinking style and mould their attitudes and behaviour for becoming good fathers and mothers by catering to the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of their children. Mr. Khan added that the parents with less number of children would have enough financial resources to meet their basic needs.
Khan added that for the prosperity of Pakistan and for future of the coming generation it is a dire need to reduce the population and increase the resources. It is not the duty of one person whole nation should show commitment He said that population has exploded in Pakistan and it will get doubled in the coming few decades leading to worsening of the human development indicators for the Country and aggravation of the existing problems such as high illiteracy, ever increasing unemployment, poverty, urbanization, poor health status. 
To ensure food security in Pakistan the menace of over population has to be controlled. Population Planning and concept of food security have great relevance with each other. He urged the youths to come forwards and take responsibility of bringing change in the lives of future generations.