Essay on Population Explosion in Pakistan In this essay paper I will introduce the t he concept of overpopulation overpop ulation and its definition in the literal sense. Then I will discuss its effects on the Pakistani economy and its impact on the t he agricultural sector. This will be followed by an analysis analys is of overpopulation being source o f other social evils. Then overpopulation will be discussed d iscussed in the international scenario followed by a brief analysis of the causes of overpopu lation. lation. That will be followed by the efforts required at the individual and collective spheres. Finally the future course of action would be discussed with so me recommendations and a brief conclusion.
Introduction Population explosion is a global problem. prob lem. It is equally true of Pakistan. Pak istan. Everyday we come across the oft-repeated phrase, ³Population Bo mb is ticking´. A state based on Islamic ideology should be an ideal state. Since its inception Pakistan had to face the problems of illiteracy, poverty, pollution, unemployment, lawlessness & terrorism, inflation, loans, corruption, defective tax structure, government instability and many more chronic problems. Unless we achieve a control co ntrol on population, these related problems will not be easily solved.
Pakistan and Overpopulation At the time of partition, the area, which today comprises Pakistan, had a population po pulation of 33 million. million. The T he following table shows population popu lation of Pakistan at different times since its inception.
r Year Population (in millions) millions) 1947 33 1972 66 1998 130.5 2000 140 Table-1 Comparison of population at different different times According to experts, under the same growth rate, the population of Pakistan would be greater than that of China by the year 2035. Even after fifty-six years of its independence, Pak istan is still struggling struggling to find a respectable place in the comity of nations. All the efforts made in the past seem to have gone in vain. Every sector of life today tells a sorry tale. The T he problem that could be blamed for all this sorry mess is overpopulation in the country. cou ntry. Overpopulation emerges as the main villain in Pakistan for a number of reasons. Every other problem mentioned earlier seems to have grown from the de mon of this overpopulation.
Definition Literally speaking, overpopulation arises when the resources in a country fell short of meeting the needs of its people. peo ple. A number of factors could lead to the t he emergence of overpopulati overpopu lation. on. Birth rate is the most common indicator that the countries today use to keep a check on population . Pakistan today suffers from a high birth rate in the country. But the birth rate was
high even in the past and still overpopulation was nowhere to be seen. What factors today have translated the high birth rate into overpopulation? The advancements in the medical field have led to a sharp decline in the death rate. The life expectancy has increased due to the use of imported health technologies. So, a decline in death rate has in other words led to the problem of overpopulation. Pakistan is a developing co untry and as many others like it is trying hard to survive in the capitalist world. A huge population of around fifteen crores, that could have been an asset to the country is today a huge liability. Fast increasing popu lation is thus a source of constant danger for Pakistan.
Impact of Economy Overpopulation has badly hampered the economic growth in the country. High population is responsible for a decline in the per capita income . This leads to a decline in the purchasing power of the people. As the demand for goods decreases then by ³Demand & Supply´ law, the investment in the country will also suffer. Such a stagnant economy will lead to closing of factories and businesses and in return add to joblessness and poverty. Even if the country somehow is successful in attracting foreign investment, still overpopulation will not allow these investments to have a positive effect on the country¶s economy. Greater popu lation means more number of hungry souls to feed. With the number of productive earning members in a family small compared to unproductive members, there is felt a drag on limited income o f poor families. This is the problem of ³Dependency ratio´ which is acutely felt in poor countries. For years, social services in the country have suffered even after sincere efforts by successive governments. The fact remains that more schools, hospitals, and parks are of little comfort if the population keeps on increasing at an alarming rate.
Impact on Agricultural Sector Agriculture is another sector, which has been adversely affected by the rapid increase of population. About 70% of Pakistan¶s population is employed in the agricultural sector. Overpopulation is even having an adverse effect on agricultural outcome. More population means smaller farms, and that leads to a decline in productivity. Availability of cultivable land in 1990 was 0.17 hector per person and the estimated availability of cultivable land by the year 2025 will be 0.07 hector per person. The same would happen with the forests and also with the availability of fresh water. People having smaller farms have no ot her choice but to migrate in hope for a better life. This leads to urbanization, which itself is a major social problem .
Overpopulation Causing other Social Evils Over population has contributed towards an increase in a number of social evils. Lawlessness, crime and corruption are all the result of population explosion. The fight over resources has divided the society into two groups i.e. those who have all and are not willing to share it and t he second group that is fighting for its mere survival. This fight between haves and ha ve-nots has the inherent seeds of conflict in it, which if erupted could imperil the peace a nd order in the society. Overpopulation in cities has also co ntributed to toxic pollution. A greater number of vehicles on the roads mean the availability of large quantities of poisonous gas for people to inhale. Sewage problems and lack of clean drinking water can also be attributed to the population problem.
World Scenario
The world has crossed the six billion mark in population . After years of industrialization and technological advances, the world still suffers in providing basic necessities to the masses. Apart from few exceptions in Europe having a negative birth rate, overpopulation is a common problem of many nations around t he world. Many of the countries have tried hard and to some extent they have been successful. China, around three decades ago, was facing shortages in food but today it is the largest growing economy in the world. The ³One Child Policy´ has done wonders for this new economic power. China has also proved the fact that through proper planning a huge population could be transformed into an economic asset.
Causes of Overpopulation Following is a brief discussion of some of the causes of overpopulation in our country: y y y y y y y y y y
Warm climate (puberty attained by females at an early age) Early marriages Joint family systems Polygamy Lack of recreational facilities Belief that God is µRaziq¶ (belief that every child b rings its food with him/her) Love for male issues (couple going for more babies) Illiteracy, people think that more children mean more working hands Misinterpretation of Ullemas Unawareness about the use of contraceptives
Efforts put in by Government Family Planning Association, a private venture, started work in 1953. Government started providing family planning services at its health centers in 1960. A National Planning program was formed in 1965. American Aid for family planning started in 1974. Provincial Governments initiated Family Planning Programs in 1983. Community health center started by Government in 1993.
Future Course of Action It is right time that we nip the evil in the bud with proper planning. Education is the key to success against the menace of overpopulation. It will not only generate awareness against t he hazards of overpopulation among t he masses but will also create a healthy environment for birth control methods to flourish. Poor literacy rate in Pakistan is certainly adding to the difficulties, already being faced by the health workers in their fight against the pro blem. The role of media is also an important factor. With most of the population illiterate electronic media could prove to be a huge success in getting the message across. Print media too needs to emphasize the problems of overpopulation on a more regular basis. Availability of birth control methods in the remote areas of the country should be ensured. The role of lady health workers should be expanded and the good office of every union council should make their supervision compulsory. ³Devolution Plan´ was devised to make the participation of people at the grass roots level. Now it is time that we solve the problem of overpopulation with a great er participation and support of these local councils. But t his task will be not as easy to accomplish, as it may appears to be.
According to a report by Population Action International Washington, a great reaso n for population increase in Pakistan is that the Government has made a very insignificant investment in social sector owing to religious problems and secondly women having no say and freedom . A conservative society like ours is certainly not ripe to carry out a war against overpopulation. Therefore, the role of religious leaders emerges as an important aspect if we are to succeed against this menace. Big landowners in rural areas too command a lot of respect among the masses. It is time that they join in against t he fight for a better future. Once these two classes are on the side of the government, there is no way that the government will not be able to solve the problem. Another factor that has for long pro ven to be a hurdle in solving population problem is the poor state of our womenfolk in the society. The rights of women must be resto red and the discrimination against them must be stopped. Many women in the country are aware o f the problems generated by having large families but they have little say in deciding about the strength of the family. In a male-dominated so ciety as ours women often fall victim to the blind wishes of their male partners. Women often die in labor and owing to the lack of gaps between the successive births. Their health also deteriorates to an alarming stage. R ecommendations y y y y y
y y y y y
and Conclusion
Family planning facilities be made a part of health facilities There should be a great er role for local and provincial governments Role of NGOs and doctors in disbursement of Aid received for family panning Males should be urged to cooperate more Status of women to be raised in society as done by present government by giving more seats in assemblies Better health and educational facilities for women Issue to be taken as a national crisis Role of media to be encouraged especially in rural areas Government programs should involve Ullemas and NGOs Greater participation of landlords
Problem of overpopulation is very serious because it leads to frustration, which means chaos. Chaos means anarchy and anarchy endangers the state. Pakistan is today standing at the crossroads. It will either perish forever or will emerge as a stronger nation. What are needed is a vision and a sincere leadership that could transform dreams into reality. The problem of overpopulation has now started to haunt us and unless we tackle it pragmatically our dream of a bright and glorious future will just remain a pious wish. It needs a multi-pronged attack to deal with overpopu lation. A strong Pakistan should be our first priority and if we have to make certain hard decisions for its accomplishment no o ne should hesitate to lead and pull the trigger. Indeed, Pakistan comes first even before o ur personal vested interests.
