QUETTA: Speakers at a conference have stressed the need for investing in human capital, prioritising women’s education and health, enhancing access to family planning services and strengthening local governance to effectively address the country’s population challenges and unlock its economic potential.

They shared these views at a conference, titled Missed opportunities: the high price of ignoring population dynamics, which focused on the critical interplay between population and economic development.

Moderated by Dr Zeba Sathar, the country director of Population Council, the event highlighted key economic and social challenges and offered in­­si­g­hts into how Pakistan can move towards a sustainable and equitable future.

Addressing the conference, former State Bank governor Dr Ishrat Hus­sain emphasised the need for investing in women’s education and increa­sing female labour force participation. He compared Pa­kistan’s approach to co­­untries like India, where prioritisation of human capital has significantly improved socio-economic outcomes.

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“With 25 million out-of-school children, 40 per cent malnourished child­ren, and only 25pc female labour force participation, it’s difficult to expect meaningful progress,” he said.

Economist Dr Kaiser Bengali highlighted the political and structural inefficiencies in addressing issues. He noted provinces had little incentive to invest in human capital.

Dr G.M. Arif, a former joint director at PIDE, and SZABIST University President Shahnaz Wazir Ali also spoke.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2024