Population Climate Challenges Shape Pakistan’s Future
Pakistan’s future depends on how the country manages population climate challenges. Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb shared this view at the launch of the District Vulnerability Index for Pakistan in Islamabad. He noted that Pakistan aims for stable growth. However, the nation cannot reach its full potential without tackling rapid population expansion and rising climate risks.
He said a 2.5% population growth rate puts pressure on people and resources. As a result, key development issues continue to grow. The impact appears in child stunting, learning gaps, and a workforce that struggles to meet future needs.
Climate change adds another layer of stress. Communities face extreme heat, floods, droughts, and environmental damage. These shocks often hit districts already dealing with poverty, weak systems, and limited services. Therefore, the combined effect creates deeper inequality.
National Priorities
Aurangzeb shared that the finance ministry supports national action on both issues. He explained that Pakistan must link climate and population priorities with budgeting and planning. In addition, he pointed out that finance ministries worldwide now play a leading role in climate policy. Pakistan, he said, must follow the same direction to stay resilient.
He praised the Population Council for developing the District Vulnerability Index after three years of research. The Index offers clear information across six areas. It highlights geographic gaps and shows which districts face the highest risks, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These findings show how climate exposure and social challenges feed into each other. As a result, already vulnerable communities face even tougher conditions.
Aurangzeb also discussed the rise in rural to urban migration. Many families move to cities for better opportunities. However, they often end up in informal settlements with unsafe water, weak sanitation, and poor hygiene. These issues harm nutrition and increase child stunting. He encouraged more studies on urban challenges so policymakers can plan for both demographic and climate related pressures.
He said Pakistan must understand how population trends and climate impacts connect. Therefore, he urged the government to use vulnerability data when allocating resources. He believes this approach can strengthen fairness and resilience. He expressed confidence that the District Vulnerability Index will guide future policies that serve people across the country.
