By Dawn.com
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged awareness on responsible parenthood and family planning to address population growth on the World Population Day on Friday, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
Established by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989 and observed on July 11 every year, World Population Day seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development.
The president, in his message to the nation, said that the challenge of population growth continued to hinder the country鈥檚 national development process which necessitated a comprehensive, and inclusive approach, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
鈥淲hen community leaders, elders, and civil society organisations promote the benefits of responsible parenthood and support access to family planning, societal attitudes begin to change. The media also has a central role to play in raising