Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted the National Population Council (NPC), appointing himself as its chairman and including Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as a member alongside the country’s top political leadership.
The council brings together the chief ministers of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, in an effort to coordinate national policy on population management.
It also includes the federal ministers for planning, finance, national health services, education, law, information, and religious affairs, reflecting a multi-sectoral approach to addressing demographic challenges.
The council is expected to provide strategic direction on population planning, strengthen coordination between the federation and provinces, and oversee policies aimed at sustainable population growth and improved socio-economic outcomes.
The chairman has also been authorised to co-opt additional ministers, secretaries or subject experts whenever required to support the council’s work.
The inclusion of Field Marshal Asim Munir in the body places the military leadership alongside federal and provincial governments in deliberations on population policy.
The development comes as Pakistan continues to grapple with rapid population growth, placing increasing pressure on healthcare, education, employment, housing and public services. The council is expected to serve as the principal forum for coordinating policy and reviewing progress on national population objectives.
