In statistics of any country population is a very important word. A study of the population is of great importance to frame policies for the economic development of the country. Any country with fewer resources and more people to live in, to be fed and to be clothed is said to be an over populated country.
If any country is rich in soil, climate, mineral resources, manpower and talent then by taking advantage of these resources effects of over population can be controlled. So any country with much resources and men who are taking advantage of the resources and everyone enjoying good life cannot be said as overpopulated.
But any country with less resources and more population is an overpopulated and is moving towards poverty and starvation.
Any country with more resources and less population is free of population explosion but, if it have fast population growth rate then it is an alarming situation as well as because if the population growth is not controlled on the basis of resource, then it may reach to population explosion. So any country less or more populated, its population growth should be controlled.
Population Growth in Pakistan:-
Pakistan with an estimated population of 130 million in mid 1995 is the seventh most populated country in the world, fourth in Asia and second in SAARC countries. The historical trends indicate a continuously increasing growth in population. Currently, the population is estimated to be growing at a rate of 2.9% per annum Pakistan is the world’s 7th most populous country.
Population growth rate of Pakistan is so fast that it has population doubling time of thirty years end as many as seven new born babies are added to its population with every passing minute. Pakistan through ranked seventh among the most populous countries of the world, has the highest population doubling time of thirty years.
China is at top in the list but its population doubling time is much lower than Pakistan. Chinese population doubles after 70 years. Japan and USA are the only two developed countries which are also included in the list of ten most populous counties, having doubling time very low. The population of Japan would not double even in three centuries as it has population doubling time of 350 years. The US is the third most populace country but has population doubling time of 117 years.
This fast growth rate and less doubling time of population of Pakistan is alarming because living standard in Pakistan is already critical. In Pakistan 43 percent of the population is under 15 years of age. Around 50 percent of Pakistan’s population lives in one-room houses. On average seven persons live in a house. 76 percent of the houses do not have bathrooms and 60 percent people face sewerage difficulties. Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan with a population of 92 million. By 2020 half of our population will be living in cities.
It does not mean that Pakistan have less resources to be utilized according to more population. But Pakistan is not utilizing her resources. Pakistan have good variety of soil, climate, mineral resources and geographical conditions, but poor planning and pathetic political system do not allow these resources to overcome population explosion. But, if we move with good plans then we may meet population growth difficulties.
Solutions to population explosion:-
To find solution to any problem, it is important to find out its causes. So there are some causes of population growth in Pakistan, from which some causes are positive and some are negative. So the causes which are proper to be overcome, should be controlled.
The world of today is said to be over populated. The alarming increase in the world population poses certain crucial economic, political and social problems in almost all spheres of life and to all sectors of human races. The facts given below tell us the rapid and horrible increase in the world population.
Following are the causes of population growth in Pakistan.
High birth rate and low death rate.
We are rapidly multiplying at the rate 3%. For the last over three decades, there is a rapid fall in the death rates due to tremendous progress in medical science. The diseases like cholera, malaria, small pox, typhoid have been greatly controlled. These used to take a heavy toll of life. The provision of hospitals in villages and cities, the improved health environment have helped in lowering the death rates.
Other causes of rapid growth of population are given below:-
 Warm climate which results high birth rate.
 System of universal marriage in our religion.
 Re-marriage of widows results more production of children.
 System of early marriage.
 Mass illiteracy.
 Low standard of living of the people.
 Lack of recreational facilities.
 Joint family system.
 Introduction of modern medicines.
 Desire for a male child.
 Better sanitation.
 Control over natural calamities.
To Pakistan, therefore the solution of the problem is of higher importance than any other nation of the world.
Practical economists have so far suggested three ways to fight out the population menace. The first consists in the utmost exploitation of resources so as to maximize the production. The second is concerned with planned distribution of national wealth. The third relates to the control of birth so as to keep it within reasonable limit. The same means also apply equally to the problem with which Pakistan is faced, But whether is Pakistan or elsewhere, these aree to be applied not separately or isolatedly but together and simultaneously because they constitute only three fronts of same strategy. They will, therefore, bear the desired fruit only when they have been put into operation as complementary to one another.
Of these, the first two-maximum production and equitable distribution are universally admitted as sound ways when they are screwed up together like two blades of scissors. One cannot cut without the other and when put together to make the complete implement, they cut anything, at least many things.
So as in the case of Pakistan, resources should be utilized properly. Just as to take out mineral resources only Pakistani firms and Pakistani engineers be allowed and the tender should not be given to any foreign company. Government should select talented men and they should be given education so that Pakistan may become independent to take out minerals.
Government should have strict plans to distribute factories in different areas according to their needs and demand but not on a political race. If any area requires five cotton factories then not a sixth one should be allowed even because of much political pressure.
Whenever any factory is needed then investors from inside Pakistan should be compelled to built it, even combined with their proper shares.
So building of factories, mills etc should be done because of the requirement of the area but not according to the wish of any investor.
Then manpower of Pakistan should be utilized, and it is the duty of Government to increase literacy rate in the country and the talented youngsters who go abroad to utilize their talent, they should be convinced to utilize their knowledge in the country, and they should given chances in the country.
Government should control the education system and every department have proper number of seats, and after completion of studies, job security should be provided. Moreover talented and creative students should be convinced and helped by the Government in establishing new business so that the manpower may be utilized within the country.
But it must be borne in mind that no amount of production and no scientific even-handed distribution of wealth will be of any avail in the long run if the population keeps multiplying at the present rate. It is essential to the success of any economic plan that the volume of population remains more or less unchanged over a long period of time. For, if the population increases out of the proportion to the increase of output, all the surplus achieved will be swallowed up by the additional mouths. Thus the nation remains as poor as ever, if not worse than before. To check the growth of population is, therefore, inseparably connected with the success of any plan to combat over population.
A proper family planning should be implemented all over the country. A proper shrewdness should be aroused among the people and those who are against the planning they should be convinced by different means, because our religion does not forbade it if it is in favour of the people, the government and the country. More recreational facilities should be minimized by increasing living standard of the people.
So in the start the family planning will face many problems but after implementation nationally, it will yield great profit for the country.