A Population Bomb!

Pakistan has created a nuclear bomb, but it is also making another bomb—it is population BOMB—that threatens to explode by 2040, potentially devastating the nation. Hunger, poverty, and unemployment could transform its youth into zombies, with humanity turning against itself.

Throughout the 20th century, the human population on Earth surged dramatically, rising from 1.6 billion in 1900 to 6.1 billion by 2000. At this pace, the United Nations estimates that the global population could reach 11 billion by 2050. This rapid growth has given rise to serious issues, ranging from global poverty to environmental degradation. However, the connections between population growth, poverty, and pollution are not always clear-cut. This book sheds light on how global media has portrayed population growth as a catastrophe. Rather than engaging in traditional debates about population increase, it emphasizes that our concerns about population are often unfounded; in fact, population growth does not inherently obstruct economic, environmental, or reproductive health. Instead, it is our fears that distract us from achieving our goals.

In 2017, fifty Nobel laureates were asked what they believed posed the greatest threat to humanity. They unanimously identified rising population and dwindling resources as the most pressing danger.

According to the World Population Prospects 2022, the global population is set to reach 8 billion this November:

• By 2030: 8.5 billion
• By 2050: 9.7 billion
• By 2080: 10.4 billion

The Ten Most Populous Countries:

1. 🇮🇳 India | 1,426,409,584
2. 🇨🇳 China | 1,425,731,257
3. 🇺🇸 United States | 339,688,556
4. 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 277,148,717
5. 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 239,693,115
6. 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 222,914,017
7. 🇧🇷 Brazil | 216,214,106
8. 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | 172,659,039
9. 🇷🇺 Russia | 144,528,119
10. 🇲🇽 Mexico | 128,297,060

Pakistan is among the countries experiencing rapid population growth; its population is increasing at an alarming rate without any serious concern or planning for control. In 1950, Pakistan ranked fourteenth in terms of population; today it stands fifth.

Looking at Pakistan's demographic statistics suggests that all efforts and advancements have been focused solely on increasing the population. If such growth were considered constructive globally, Pakistan would undoubtedly deserve accolades for it—at least in one sector.

The majority of Pakistan's population consists of young individuals under thirty years old. This age distribution is promising in terms of providing opportunities since it represents a period where the working-age population surpasses dependents. This scenario can lead to a demographic dividend—a phase of robust economic growth bolstered by favorable population structure. Research indicates that demographic dividends positively impact economic growth; for instance, between 1965 and 1990, East Asia experienced rapid economic development attributed partly to this dividend alongside favorable economic policies.Currently in Pakistan, approximately 16,473 children are born daily, equating to one child every five seconds, while 4,170 deaths occur each day, or one every twenty-one seconds. Thus overall, Pakistan's population increases by three individuals every twenty seconds.At the time of independence in 1947, Pakistan's population was around 40 million. By 1971, it had grown to 65.3 million, while Bangladesh stood at 71 million. Today (2022), Bangladesh's population has reached 167 million, whereas Pakistan's has surpassed 220 million.

In the region, Pakistan has the highest rate of population growth; only Afghanistan surpasses it:

• Afghanistan: 2.3%
• Iran: 1.4%
• India: 1.2%
• Sri Lanka: 0.6%
• China: 0.3%

In Iran in 1980, the average number of children per woman was 6.5; however, Iran implemented a comprehensive policy to control its burgeoning population through community outreach by mosque leaders and teachers promoting family planning from their pulpits. As a result of these efforts and according to a World Bank report from 2020, Iran's fertility rate dropped from 6.5 to just 2.1 children per woman.Birth Rates per Woman Worldwide:

• Niger: 6.9
• Somalia: 6.4
• Chad: 6.3
• Congo: 6.2
• Mali: 6.0
• Nigeria: 5.3
• Afghanistan: 4.8
• Pakistan: 3.6

In contrast to other nations where birth control is not debated as a religious issue—Pakistan continues to grapple with whether controlling its population is Islamic or un-Islamic despite the fact that logically speaking this issue pertains fundamentally to economic and human survival.The World Bank and IMF categorize expenditures on family planning as investments and assert that for every dollar spent on such initiatives there will be a return of four dollars in benefits. At the London Conference in 2012, Pakistan pledged to allocate 2.5% of its GDP for these initiatives; however today all public and private expenditures combined—including health care and family planning—amount to less than 0.7% of GDP.Population growth rates vary across provinces:

• Punjab: 2.1%
• Sindh: 2.4%
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 2.9%
• Balochistan: 3.4%

According to current rates of growth in Pakistan by 2040, it will need to create twelve million jobs and build approximately eighty-five thousand new primary schools along with nearly nineteen million new homes while also developing major water reservoirs and ensuring access to clean drinking water.However if new housing developments continue without addressing agricultural needs—where will food come from? How will a country that already imports food cope with the demands of an increasing populace amidst a severe dollar shortage?

Median age by country:

Pakistan’s average Median age currently stands at just 22 years, ranking it among countries with the lowest life expectancy globally.A significant issue contributing to Pakistan’s population increase is a lack of quality education; among less educated women in Pakistan there is an average of 4.2 children, compared to just 2.6 children among educated women.Pakistan was the first country in Asia to initiate a family planning program called "Two Children are Better" as part of its five-year plan from 1965–70; however this initiative faced significant backlash from religious scholars who presented convoluted arguments against it leading ultimately to its failure.If we consider that a boat designed for four people cannot accommodate eight without sinking—this analogy applies equally at local or national levels; we must critically assess whether we have increased resources at the same pace as our growing population based on religious guidance.

The real issue isn’t merely about producing more children; it's about their health, education, and employment opportunities—consider how many healthcare facilities are accessible? According to reports nearly three million children in Pakistan do not attend school—what future awaits them? Will they contribute positively to society or become pawns for gangs or terrorist organizations?With thirty-six percent of the country already living below the poverty line—what will happen when an additional three million join their ranks? Is free education provided in madrasas truly a solution? Does this education offer alternatives for dwindling resources? Does it contribute towards environmental sustainability?Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel remarked that “we should go where there are fewer Muslims and have more children.”

In the country where there are few Muslims, you should go there and have children: Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel

If properly educated and trained populations can become valuable assets for national development—untrained populations become burdens on resources instead.Today’s world values intellectual capital over mere manpower; there are smaller nations far wealthier than Pakistan due solely to quality education and training.Thus we should aim for a number of children we can adequately nurture—those whom the state can provide with employment opportunities and better futures.The decision rests with you based on your own reasoning.