Senator Samina Mumtaz Zahri has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating social and demographic situation in Balochistan, stating that young girls in the province are either forced into early motherhood or pushed towards violence due to the absence of effective population and social policies.
Her remarks came during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, where members discussed the National Population and Reproductive Health Bill 2026.
While speaking in the committee, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zahri said population growth has become one of Pakistan’s most pressing challenges and stressed that a comprehensive and practical population policy is urgently needed. She recalled that a population task force was formed in 2021, but regretted that no meaningful progress has been made so far.
“Balochistan’s girls are either giving birth at a very young age or picking up guns,” Zahri said, highlighting the lack of education, healthcare access, and social protection in the province.
Committee member Rubina Khalid also addressed the issue, stating that uncontrolled population growth is at the root of multiple national problems. She pointed out that in some cases, girls in Balochistan have even been exploited in terrorist activities. Rubina Khalid said societal pressure for male children continues to fuel repeated pregnancies, putting women and girls at severe health risks.
The discussion also touched upon the sensitive topic of birth control. Rubina Khalid said contraception remains a taboo subject in Pakistan and is rarely discussed openly, despite its importance for public health. In response, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zahri emphasized that the proposed bill should be thoroughly consulted with all stakeholders before being presented in parliament to avoid unnecessary objections later.
The committee chairman suggested holding an open public debate on the bill, warning that the current job market is already unable to absorb the growing youth population.
During the meeting, Zahri also referred to controversial remarks by a religious cleric regarding underage marriage, prompting light-hearted comments from the chairman, though the issue itself underscored the seriousness of child marriage concerns.
The committee decided to convene a joint meeting involving the Islamic Ideological Council and members of all political parties to develop consensus on population control measures. It was also agreed to hold a joint session of the health and human rights committees.
Rubina Khalid further warned that children are increasingly being born with physical and mental stunting due to poor maternal health. The Director General Health informed the committee that both federal and provincial task forces are currently working on the issue.
