ISLAMABAD: The government plans to set up the Population Commission of Pakistan (PCP) to sensitize policy makers about alarming population growth rate. The task force has also been proposed under the commission. The basic objectives of the proposal are to have a consolidated forum of all stakeholders for devising a plan of action according to the national priorities by adhering to religious doctrines, to deliberate on population control mechanisms by effectively engaging stakeholders and develop consensus on implementation of other priority areas of population as mentioned in Vision 2025. According to Annual Development Plan 2018-19, a population policy has been finalized and is likely to be notified within this year. For population planning, an impact oriented approach has been adopted which would bear dividend in the longer run. The document says that the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have started a joint project to effectively deal with population related sustainable development goals (SDGs). The objective of the UNFPA contribution is to mainstream population dynamics across core national and provincial development plans and strategies as this is consistent with agenda 2030 and will improve the general quality of development planning. The project will cover research and analysis, including impact of population growth and population dynamics on achievement of SDGs in Pakistan. Presently, population sector has been accorded a high priority sector status by the government to control the accelerated population growth rate and to improve demographic indicators. The Council of Common Interests (CCI) will decide about the future funding and amount to be allocated to the population welfare programme for 2018-19. A token money of Rs 511 million has been allocated in PSDP 2018-19 for the programme. Some most important activities to be undertaken during the year are proposed in new initiatives, including establishment of 3,700 Family Welfare Centres, 350 Reproductive Health-A Centres, 550 Mobile Service Units and 260 Reproductive Health-B Centres. Published in Daily Times, May 12th 2018.