P N Report
Lahore :The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) Lahore, organised a seminar titled “Managing Pakistan’s Population Growth: Dissecting Demographic Pressures, Urbanisation and Human Security Challenges,” on October 21, 2026. CASS Lahore organises academic events for scholars and practitioners interested in exploring the critical dimensions of security, technology, and policy within their broader context. Academics, intellectuals, and domain experts attended the event. Air Marshal Irfan Ahmad (Retd), a Director at CASS, Lahore, delivered the opening address.
Mr Minhaj ul Haque, Chief Executive Officer of the Population Centre Pakistan, spoke on “Pakistan’s Demographic Trends Driving Its Population Growth: Strategic Implications for the Country.” He highlighted Pakistan’s rapid population growth and its growing pressure on public services, natural resources and socioeconomic development. He urged stronger family planning, girls’ education, women’s empowerment, healthcare and skills development, emphasising coordinated population management and effective policies on education, employment and resource allocation for Pakistan’s sustainable future.
Dr Razia Safdar, Senior Policy Advisor and Head of the Centre for Health Policy Innovation (CHPI) at SDPI, Islamabad, shared her insights on “Population Growth, Urbanisation and Human Security: Emerging Challenges for Pakistan.” She highlighted how rapid population growth, urbanisation and climate change are intensifying pressure on Pakistan’s health systems and essential resources. She stressed the importance of domestic health financing, integrated population management and women’s empowerment, alongside adopting a One Health approach that integrates human, animal and environmental health.
Dr Shabana Haider, Member (Population) in the Planning Commission in the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Pakistan expressed her thoughts on “Building a Resilient Pakistan: Way Forward for Managing Population Growth and Sustainable Urban Development.” Dr Haider discussed the challenges of rapid population growth and urbanisation, calling for investment in healthcare, education, skills development and women’s economic participation. She emphasised integrated population management, stronger governance, institutional coordination and sustainable urban planning to transform demographic pressures into opportunities for inclusive growth and a more resilient Pakistan.
Concluding the seminar, Air Marshal Asim Suleiman (Retd), President, CASS, Lahore, noted that Pakistan’s growing population must be recognised as a strategic national priority. He highlighted that the 18th Amendment made population welfare largely a provincial responsibility, making federal-provincial coordination essential. He emphasised that managing Pakistan’s demographic transition is a national imperative requiring a whole-of-society approach. He underscored that Pakistan’s future hinges not on the size of its population, but on its productive potential.
The seminar culminated with a thought-provoking interactive session. Healthy discussion and debate were observed on women education, human capital, rapid population growth, governmental initiatives and implementation mechanisms.
