OPINION Vol.1, No.1 June 2013 - National Defence University

develop provincial and district level institutions to monitor and handle demographic and climate
change impacts.
Demography Management. The fast growing population has to be managed through a rigorous
demography management. Following steps are recommended in this regard:-
Population Welfare Programs. An effective population welfare programme to reduce the
rate of population growth can enhance the development effort in a number of ways. A
reduction in the fertility rate would have an immediate effect on the health of mothers and
children and would begin to affect school enrolment rates and education expenditures in short
period.
Education and Female Literacy. A well-funded and rigorous programme for primary and
female literacy is recommended. Besides improving literacy, it would have two direct
impacts; firstly, the Total Fertility Rate will drop affecting the population growth rate.
Secondly, educated women are likely to be more capable of ensuring education choices of the
next generation.
National Health Policy. A National Health Policy capable to absorb the changes after 18th
amendment is another important factor. It should focus on child mortality & immunization,
life care and emergency services, hygiene and sanitation and old age issues and should focus
on international commitments on MDGs.
Prudent Macroeconomic Management. Synergy in Ministry of Finance, HRD and
Planning Commission to jointly work out Poverty alleviation program under BISP is required.
The Transition should be directed from aid based to Project based self-sustaining Micro and
Macro level management. The need is to work for improvement in creation of job
opportunities through better private public partnership.
HRD. Human capital is the capital in the 21st century world. The study has shown that
demographic dividends will only come our way if we have adequate HRD to encash them.
Following is recommended in this regard:-
Demography. A futuristic and market oriented National HRD Policy be framed and
approved at national and provincial level. With developing skilled labour, to meet the global
market demand being the purpose. Also, introducing courses related to economic choices and
decision making by the manpower, entering the labour market as well as youth
entrepreneurship and leadership curriculum in primary and secondary level of education.
Additionally, create ease of doing business, for new entrants in private sector. Concurrently
provide guidance and direction towards the level of expertise and capability to youth, which
can help them in existing competitive world.
Climate Change. Develop climate change professionals’ pool by sending young scientists
and students for higher studies. Moreover, identify the national institutional needs to develop
the capacity for carbon trading under CDM (clean development mechanism). Awareness is
primarily required in the domain of Climate Change. Using all available and appropriate
media, we need to, raise awareness of masses about impacts of trends in demography and
climate change. Education syllabi and traditional sources for information as well as modern
media can play an important role in this sphere. The Information ministry should play the
desired role in this regard.
Mid Term Recommendations
Policy for Urbanization and Better Managed Urban System. Study has shown that both
Climate Change and demography trends are going to supplement the urbanization trends to tackle
the problems arising out of both. Following needs to be done
Undertake studies to determine future expansion needs of the existing towns, while
redirecting population migration. Plan new cities along Makran Coast and West of Indus to
mitigate the pressures on existing cities and promote national cohesion
Promote and develop smaller agro-based towns –industrial clusters to discourage rural to
urban migration
OPINION Vol.1 No.1 100 June 2013