World Population Day observed

Islamabad (Web Desk): The World Population Day is being observed today (Friday) across the globe including Pakistan.

The theme of this year is 'Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world.'

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have stressed to create awareness on responsible parenthood and family planning to tackle the challenge of population growth.

In his message on the occasion of World Population Day, President Zardari, highlighted the crucial role that various segments of society—particularly the media and civil society—must play in fostering awareness around family planning and responsible parenting.

He emphasized that World Population Day serves as a timely reminder of the government’s unwavering dedication to improving the well-being and prosperity of every citizen.

Echoing these sentiments, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to advancing a comprehensive and rights-based population strategy.

“The current efforts are aimed at ensuring equal access to healthcare services, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about family planning, and strengthening support systems that uphold personal dignity and autonomy in these choices,” he said.

PM Shehbaz pointed out that these initiatives are closely aligned with Pakistan’s global obligations, particularly under the Sustainable Development Goals and the Family Planning 2030 framework.

The Prime Minister further noted that achieving population stabilization will require a well-coordinated and multi-dimensional approach.

He urged all relevant stakeholders—ranging from federal and provincial authorities to development partners, religious leaders, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and local communities—to come together and accept their shared responsibility in addressing population-related challenges.

Through collective action, he said, Pakistan can move toward a more stable, healthier, and prosperous future.

According to the United Nations (UN) Website, World Population Day was initiated in 1989 by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), following the widespread interest sparked by the Day of Five Billion, which was observed on July 11, 1987, to mark the world’s population reaching five billion.

Recognizing the significance of population-related concerns, the United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution 45/216 adopted in December 1990, agreed to continue observing this day to promote awareness of population issues and their connection to sustainable development and environmental well-being.

The first celebration of World Population Day took place on July 11, 1990, and was observed in over 90 countries around the globe. Since its inception, various UNFPA offices, along with numerous organizations, government bodies, and civil society groups, have consistently marked the occasion.

These annual observances aim to draw global attention to pressing population challenges and the need for integrated efforts to address them effectively.