QUETTA: Speakers at a meeting of a coalition of different civil society organisations (CSOs) urged the Balochistan government to take special measures to implement family planning programme to check population growth which is the highest in the province.

They expressed serious concern over government’s inaction towards controlling the population of Balochistan and said resources were reducing with the population growth not only in Balochistan, but also across the country.

They said the population growth in Balochistan is the highest as the national census held in 2023 shows.

They suggested allocation of more funds and paying serious attention on this important issue and suggested that political parties should also include the population in their manifestos and also sign a Charter of Democracy-like agreements to tackle the issue.

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Key stakeholders, inc­luding ulema, representatives of UN agencies and CSOs, media and PWD organisations attended the meeting to discuss steps to strengthen family planning and reproductive health initiatives in line with the FP-2030 targets.

Urooj Wajahat of Rahnuma-Family Planning Association of Pakistan (R-FPAP) shared the FP-2030 National Commit­m­ents Acco­­­untability Approach.

The regional director of R-FPAP, Mushtaq Ahmed, briefed participants about the aim and objectives of the meeting.

Dr Sarmad Saeed Khan of UNFPA provided insights into integrating family planning and reproductive health in Balochistan and also shared how can civil society organisations support the government in tracking this issue, while Dr Hamaduddin (Path­finder) highlighted efforts for achieving FP-2030 goals.

Dr Naseemullah (Riz Consulting) discussed challenges faced by CSOs and shared solutions. Qari Abdul Rasheed stressed the need for balancing family planning with religious values.

Sana Durrani, the chairperson of EIWAG Alliance of Balochistan, spoke about integration of regional and national coalitions for better advocacy.

Ms Fatima Iqbal, member of National Commission on Status of Women for Balochistan, suggested that the CSOs must have an advisory body which should meet government officials concerned for recommendations and follow-up of this forum.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2024