Why Pakistan’s Population Growth Could Be A Matter Of Concern For India?

Pakistan’s Statistics Bureau has recently dropped Census results that could be a cause of concern for India and its security interests.

The population of Pakistan is currently a little more than 241 million, with 35 million additional people added to the list in the last six years.

It’s an unprecedented explosion for an economically starved nation. India possibly can’t ignore the rise as the Islamic nation’s population growth is much higher than its economic growth.

It is worth noting that Pakistan’s population explosion could mean increased tensions in India amid constant worries about unabated infiltration at the borders.

Enlisting Factors Contributing To The Spike

While New Delhi needs to increase its efforts to check such infiltrations from across the border, the population boom is a ticking bomb that threatens Pakistan as well.

The rise is straining the country’s vital resources, overwhelming its social infrastructure and crippling the economy.

What is more alarming is the UN has already projected that Pakistan’s population could reach 403 million by the middle of the century if the current rate continues unchecked.

A number of factors contribute to the spike, including limited access to family planning services, religious beliefs as well as cultural norms.

Time To Push Some Strong Political Commitment

There is more troubling news. A modelling study by the UN Population Fund found 35% of Pakistan’s population could fall below the poverty line by 2030.

Moreover, 37.4% of Pakistanis will experience food insecurity, 57% will not have access to safe drinking water and 43% of urban dwellers will have to shift to slums.

There is the looming risk to children’s growth and education as well. And this is just seven years away. It appears Pakistan must push some strong political commitment.

The country must also realise the time has come to procure contraceptives and expand its Lady Health Workers (LHW) programmes.