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ISLAMABAD:
With Pakistan’s population expanding faster than jobs, services and health capacity, a parliamentary panel on Tuesday flagged population growth as a mounting national risk.
The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, expressed concerns over the strain unchecked population growth is placing on jobs, public services and health indicators.
The panel also revisited long-standing disputes around the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), vacant teaching posts and the allocation of development funds.
The committee considered the Private Member’s Bill titled “The National Population and Reproductive Health Bill, 2026”, reviewed issues relating to MDCAT and vacant posts in medical and dental colleges, examined population growth and its impact on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH), and discussed the proposed Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) budget of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination for the Financial Year 2026-27.
At the outset, the committee disposed of the private member’s bill titled “The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Bill, 2025” owing to the absence of the mover in three consecutive meetings.
Discussion on another private member’s bill, “The Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill, 2025”, was deferred at the request of the mover.
While deliberating on “The National Population and Reproductive Health Bill, 2026”, committee members expressed serious concern over rapid population growth and its adverse implications for national resources, employment opportunities and public services.
Members emphasised the need for a comprehensive and uniform national policy to effectively address population growth.
The Ministry of National Health Services raised technical objections to the bill, citing the existence of a Federal Task Force on population.
