‘Go where Muslims are in minority if you want more kids,’ Abdul Qadir Patel on population control

Federal Minister for Health Abdul Qadir Patel on Monday presented a unique suggestion to control the population of Pakistan. The health minister said that if couples want to have more children, then they should go to another country where Muslims are in a minority so that the Muslim population can also increase around the world.

Patel said that by 2030, Pakistan’s population is expected to cross 285 million. He said it is an “alarming situation”.

“We do not want to decrease the Muslim population. We want Muslims to be better, more educated and provide them with better healthcare facilities.”

Qadir Patel said that he has suggested to people to go have children in countries where the Muslim population is in a minority. “We are a lot in numbers here masha’Allah.”

The federal minister emphasised that in order to control the growing population, there needs to be more awareness about family planning.

Qadir Patel made the remarks while addressing a seminar in Islamabad.

The world’s population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050. According to a United Nations (UN) report, Pakistan is among eight countries where the projected increase of population is expected to be concentrated in 2050.