BY MUHAMMAD MUSTAFA MUGHAL
Dera Ismail Khan Observes World Population Day with Seminars, Awareness Walks, and Youth Empowerment Campaigns
Dera Ismail Khan: On the occasion of World Population Day, a series of awareness events including seminars, walks, and community outreach campaigns were organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Population Welfare Department in Dera Ismail Khan. The aim of these initiatives was to raise public awareness about the growing challenges of overpopulation, family planning, and related socioeconomic and health issues.
The main event took place at the District Population Welfare Office, where a comprehensive seminar was held. A large number of participants including men and women, Lady Health Workers (LHWs), social activists, teachers, youth representatives, and people from various walks of life attended. The theme of the event was “Empowering Youth to Plan Their Families Freely and Responsibly in a Just and Hopeful World.”
Addressing the seminar, District Population Welfare Officer Nizamuddin Mehsud emphasized the significance of World Population Day. He termed the growing population a “silent crisis” that is exerting immense pressure on healthcare, education, employment, and basic services. He highlighted that the theme for this year focuses on empowering youth to make informed decisions about their future and families.
Deputy Demographer Muhammad Naeem Khan Khattak stated that Pakistan is among the most populous countries in the world, and failing to take timely action could lead to even more complex challenges in the future. He urged young people to step forward and spread positive messages regarding family planning in society.
Senior journalist Muhammad Irfan Mughal also attended the event and noted that the theme of youth empowerment is crucial for shaping a sustainable future. He emphasized that it is the youth who will lead future planning, and by equipping them with knowledge and authority, society can ensure more effective development planning.
Other speakers at the seminar included Deputy District Population Welfare Officer Yousuf Khan, Mujeeb Khan, Lady Health Visitors, and community mobilizers. They shed light on the impacts of rapid population growth and emphasized the need for parents to space their children appropriately to ensure better education, health, and quality of life for their families.
The event was also attended by Family Welfare Workers, Family Welfare Counselors, Field Technical Officers, and Family Welfare Assistants.
At the conclusion of the seminar, a symbolic awareness walk was held. Participants carried placards and banners inscribed with slogans promoting family planning, healthy societies, education, and women’s empowerment. The walk started from the District Population Office and passed through various routes before concluding back at the starting point, with significant public participation.
In addition to the main event, awareness sessions, door-to-door visits, and mobilization campaigns were conducted in union councils, village councils, and basic health units across the district. Special focus was given to educating women on how they can lead a healthy family life and help reduce the burden of overpopulation.
To expand the outreach, public awareness was also raised through banners, radio broadcasts, and social media. Interviews with the District Population Welfare Officer and other officials were aired on Radio Pakistan Dera Ismail Khan in Urdu, Saraiki, and Pashto to ensure the message reached a wide audience. The print media also played a key role, with a special feature published in Roznama Aitadal D I Khan highlighting an exclusive interview with District Officer Nizamuddin Mehsud and statistical data to underline the importance of World Population Day.
Officials from the Population Welfare Department reaffirmed their commitment to expanding awareness campaigns to reach every citizen, emphasizing that a balanced population is essential for sustainable development.
