THERE has been over a decade of virtual silence from both the federal and provincial governments with regard to our rapidly rising population growth rates.

Finally, some prominent public figures are expressing concerns about this issue. The health minister, in his budget speech, claimed that rapid population growth poses a greater problem than health. The finance minister has repeatedly identified climate change and rapid population growth as twin existential threats facing Pakistan. The minister for planning and development has remarked that we have hit the accelerator on population growth instead of pulling the brakes.

The Parliamentary Forum on Population, a cross-party initiative, has strongly supported the idea of tabling a resolution in the National Assembly to restore the balance between rapid population growth and available resources. Meanwhile, the media, though preoccupied with politics, now seems more willing to discuss population issues, particularly during prime time talk shows. The fear of backlash has diminished, leading to greater openness about this previously undiscussed topic.

A significant policy announcement was the Punjab chief minister’s approval of merging the population welfare and health departments. This merger aims to enhance service delivery by eliminating duplicate service structures. Sindh boasts an outstanding minister overseeing both population welfare and health.

Has the moment we have been waiting for finally arrived? Has it come too late compared to the rest of the developing world, leaving us decades behind? Should we now seize the moment? The answers to all three........

© Dawn