World Population Day: Message from Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister for Health & Population Welfare, Sindh
Following the devolution of powers, Sindh has undertaken several key policy initiatives. These include aligning Family Planning and Reproductive Health efforts with Pakistan's international commitments made at the London Summit 2012; implementing the Costed Implementation Plan (CIP); formulating the Sindh Population Policy 2016; and developing the FP2030 Roadmap. These efforts aim to improve the quality of life for people across Sindh through a rights-based approach and by introducing family planning services at tertiary and secondary care hospitals through public-private partnerships. These initiatives help foster an enabling environment to transform social and gender norms—a hallmark of a progressive society. On the legislative front, the enactment of the Early Marriage Restraint Act 2013 and the Reproductive Health Rights Act 2022, which includes provisions for pre-marital counselling, telehealth and self-care, has provided crucial support to family planning efforts.
Sindh has maintained contraceptive commodity security since 2015-16. Innovative methods like Sayana Press—a three-month self-injectable contraceptive—have been introduced and scaled up. The focus has shifted toward long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as implants and intrauterine contraceptives (IUCs), with 50% of the allocated contraceptive procurement budget earmarked for LARCs this year.
All stakeholders from the public and private sectors are represented in the Sindh FP2030 Working Group, which meets on quarterly basis under my chairpersonship. Additionally, Sindh's Population Taskforce, chaired by the Chief Minister, tracks the implementation of recommendations from the Council of Common Interests (CCI), as mandated by the Supreme Court of Pakistan's suo moto notice on population growth.
The Government of Sindh remains committed to consolidating reforms in family planning and reproductive health through an integrated and programmatic approach. We are focusing on service quality, youth and adolescent engagement through Life Skills-Based Education (LSBE) and Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC).
Sindh is steadfast in pursuing the FP2030 goals, aiming to increase the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) to 47% by 2025 and 57% by 2030. Population Welfare Department (PWD), Department of Health (DoH), PPHI Sindh, and our private partners are working in close coordination to meet these targets.
World Population Day is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to these goals. I commend the Department of Population Welfare for organizing meaningful activities to mark this important occasion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
07-08-2025
- Business Recorder
Karachi to Sukkur: Sindh govt plans to launch sub-urban railway services: minister
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Energy, Planning and Development, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, has stated that a proposal is under consideration to launch sub-urban railway services from Karachi to Sukkur, based on the model of Lahore. The project, a joint effort between Pakistan Railways and the Government of Sindh, aims to enhance public transport services across the province and is expected to benefit millions of daily commuters. It will also help reduce the load on inter-city bus services and ease travel-related difficulties for the general public. In a significant move to improve the railway system and enhance public transport facilities, the Sindh government has decided to launch a train service on the short route between Rohri and Sukkur. The minister expressed these views during a meeting with a high-level delegation from Pakistan Railways at the Energy Department's office. The delegation was led by Chairman/Secretary Pakistan Railways Syed Mazhar-ul-Islam, and included Chief Operating Officer Railways Amir Ali Baloch and Divisional Superintendent Railways Karachi, Rehan Lakho. Also present were Secretary Energy Department Sindh Mushtaq Ahmed Soomro, MD Thar Coal Energy Board Tariq Ali Shah, Additional Secretary Coal Dr. Waqas Rajput, Chief Technical Officer Shariq Raza, and other officials. The secretary of Railways offered several collaboration opportunities with the Sindh government and shared that Pakistan Railways, in collaboration with the Punjab government, has already launched sub-urban railway services in Lahore, benefiting over 80 million people. He emphasized the need for the Sindh government's support for similar projects in the province. Minister Nasir Hussain Shah affirmed that, as per the vision and directives of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Government of Sindh is committed to initiating and completing as many public-benefit projects as possible. He assured full cooperation with any institution working for public welfare and relief. The Minister confirmed Sindh's willingness to partner with Pakistan Railways on projects that serve the people. He further noted that the Sindh government had already completed its share of work for the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project, and the process of removing encroachments along the railway lines was underway when it was halted by railway authorities due to unspecified reasons. Nasir Shah highlighted that the Government of Sindh is progressing rapidly and successfully on multiple projects under Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). He emphasised that the proposed railway track from Rohri to Karachi would be an ideal project, and assured that the Sindh government would prioritize the ML-1 project, providing all necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and relevant support. He also pointed out that several projects of the Sindh government have been delayed due to inattention from the railway administration. To address these issues, he proposed the formation of a joint committee to resolve all pending matters. The meeting also discussed suggestions for improving railway stations across Sindh, addressing critical railway crossings, and potentially adopting railway stations for better maintenance. Proposals for cleanliness and the establishment of green belts along railway tracks were also reviewed. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
31-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Unskilled workers: Sindh notifies minimum monthly wage
KARACHI: The Government of Sindh has officially notified a minimum monthly wage of Rs. 40,000 for unskilled workers employed across all industrial and commercial establishments in the province, effective from July 01, 2025. Provincial Labour Minister Shahid Abdul Salam Thaheem, while announcing the revised wage structure, said the minimum monthly salary for semi-skilled workers has been set at Rs. 41,380, for skilled workers at Rs. 49,628, and for highly skilled workers at Rs. 51,745. These revised rates are applicable across all registered and unregistered establishments, ensuring equal pay for male and female workers. He further added that any establishment paying on an hourly basis must now ensure a minimum payment of Rs. 192 per hour for their workers. 'The Government of Sindh is committed to pro-labour policies and continues to take concrete steps to guarantee decent wages, improved working conditions, and the overall welfare of workers,' said the Minister. He emphasized that the wage revision aims to ease the economic burden of inflation and promote a dignified livelihood for the working class.
Express Tribune
30-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Sindh govt sets minimum wage at Rs40,000
The Government of Sindh has officially issued a notification setting a minimum monthly wage of Rs40,000 for unskilled workers employed in industrial and commercial establishments across the province. This new wage structure will be effective from July 1, 2025. Shahid Abdul Salam Thaheem, the Provincial Labour Minister, made the announcement, revealing the revised wage scale for different categories of workers. According to the new rates, semi-skilled workers will receive a monthly salary of Rs41,380, skilled workers will earn Rs49,628, and highly skilled workers will be paid Rs51,745. These rates apply to both registered and unregistered establishments across Sindh, ensuring that both male and female workers receive equal pay for equal work. The Minister emphasized that any establishment paying workers on an hourly basis will now be required to ensure a minimum of Rs192 per hour. This new provision aims to safeguard the rights of hourly wage workers and ensure that they are fairly compensated for their labour. Minister Thaheem reiterated that the Sindh government is committed to pro-labour policies and is taking concrete steps to guarantee better working conditions and improved wages for the workforce. He highlighted that this wage revision aims to mitigate the impact of inflation on workers and provide them with a dignified livelihood. "The revision of the minimum wage is a significant step towards alleviating the economic burden on workers, helping them cope with the rising cost of living," the Minister stated. He further assured that the Labour Department is in constant communication with industrialists and will ensure the strict enforcement of labour laws to protect workers' rights.
