A seminar organized by the Directorate General Population Welfare Punjab at Faletti’s Hotel, Lahore, marked World Population Day, emphasizing the global theme: “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world.” Prominent policymakers, academicians, religious scholars, students, youth leaders, and development partners attended to promote awareness, informed family planning decisions, and youth empowerment.
The event attracted a significant number of enthusiastic participants, highlighting the community’s commitment to addressing population challenges in Punjab. Distinguished attendees included parliamentarians, health and population experts, policymakers, religious scholars, and members of academia, who discussed the significance of empowering young individuals to make well-informed, responsible family-planning choices for a promising future.
Keynote addresses and presentations were delivered by respected officials and specialists, including Dr. Saira Afzal Tarar (MNA and Coordinator to the Chief Minister), Khawaja Imran Nazir (Minister for Health and Population Welfare), Ms. Nadia Saquib (Secretary, Health and Population), Mr. Khalid Parvaiz (Director General, Population Welfare), Dr. Muhammad Nizamuddin (Pro-Rector of Superior University), and renowned scholars Dr. Shehzad Ahmad Mujaddadi and Dr. Syed Aziz Rab. The seminar’s proceedings were moderated by Mr. Salman ur Rasheed.
Partners who significantly contributed to the seminar’s success were especially acknowledged during the event. Notable among them were The Challenge Initiative (TCI), GSM, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Population Council. These development partners provided technical expertise, strategic guidance, and valuable resources, assisting the Health and Population Welfare Department of Punjab in furthering its objectives of enhancing family planning and reproductive health services throughout the province.
The event successfully generated meaningful dialogue and reinforced collaborative efforts among stakeholders, aligning closely with the Directorate’s mission to ensure informed reproductive health decision-making and family planning solutions, fostering a sustainable and prosperous future for Punjab and beyond.
