Pakistan Hands Its Army Chief One More Job: Controlling A Runaway Population

Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir is set to take on a new role controlling the country's rapidly growing population, after PM Shehbaz Sharif included him in a special committee formed to tackle the crisis.

Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir already juggles several jobs beyond running the military, he weighs in on diplomacy, shapes economic policy, and still finds time for anti-India rhetoric. His job list is about to grow even longer, with Pakistan now looking to Munir to help rein in its runaway population growth.

A population crisis Pakistan can't ignore
Pakistan's population currently stands at more than 259 million, making it the world's fifth most populous country. Projections suggest that by 2030, Pakistan will overtake Indonesia to become the fourth most populous nation on earth. For a country already battling economic distress, this rapid population growth is being treated as nothing short of a looming disaster, with resources stretched thin and the burden growing heavier every year.

Shehbaz Sharif turns to Munir, forms a committee
Faced with this crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif turned to his most trusted circle, and the most prominent name on that list was Asim Munir. Sharif has formed a committee to tackle the population problem, and Munir has been included as a member. The issue has now become a national priority for the government. Pakistan's health minister Syed Mustafa Kamal made the announcement during a Senate session earlier this week, stating that the army chief would be handed responsibility for controlling population growth. Kamal said, "The government is giving top priority to the issue of rapidly growing population, and important policy decisions are being made at every level."

What's actually driving the population boom?
Pakistan's health department has pointed to a few key reasons behind the surge.

• The first is limited access to contraceptives. Pakistan sees roughly 6.7 million children born every year on average. To address this, the government is now planning tax exemptions on contraceptive products to make them more accessible to the public.
• The second reason lies in how revenue is shared with the provinces. Currently, around 80% of the resources allocated to provinces is determined purely by population size. The health minister has proposed cutting that share to below 50%, aiming to curb the incentive built into the current system.
• Such a move could stir unrest in Pakistan's more populous provinces. Punjab, the country's most populous province, is also the stronghold of the Sharif family and the political and military nerve centre of Pakistan, home to all the country's key financial institutions. A proposal that cuts into Punjab's revenue share is unlikely to be welcomed there.

What this means for you
This development doesn't directly touch an ordinary reader's wallet or daily life, but it's a notable signal for anyone tracking the balance of power and civilian policy in a neighbouring country.

• For regional watchers: The Pakistan army chief's growing role in civilian matters like population policy, on top of his existing hand in economic policy, is a significant marker for those tracking South Asian security and foreign policy dynamics.

Questions & Answers

1. Why is Asim Munir being given responsibility for population control?
Pakistan's population is growing at an unmanageable pace, and amid economic distress the government has made it a national priority, bringing in the army chief to help lead the effort.

2. What is Pakistan's current population?
Pakistan's population is more than 259 million, making it the world's fifth most populous country.

3. When could Pakistan become the world's fourth most populous country?
Pakistan is projected to overtake Indonesia and become the fourth most populous country by 2030.

4. Who announced this development?
Pakistan's health minister Syed Mustafa Kamal announced it during a Senate session earlier this week.

5. What step is the government planning regarding contraceptives?
The government is planning tax exemptions on contraceptive products to make them more easily accessible.

6. What change is being proposed to provincial revenue sharing?
Currently around 80% of resources given to provinces is based on population, and the health minister has proposed cutting that to below 50%.

7. Which province is likely to be most unhappy with this proposal?
Punjab, since it is Pakistan's most populous province and also the stronghold of the Sharif family.

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