_WORLD WATCH______________________________
______________________PAKISTAN____________________
Population program accepted
UN threatened to withdraw aid
The Pakistani government has promised to make population control a “national priority” and accepted a $35 million funding agreement with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
In August, the Pakistani government rejected a UNFPA proposal to include lessons on the “benefits” of “small families” in the national education syllabus, but UNFPA threatened that the decision would cost the government $250 million. In November, after tense negotiations, the UN organization signed an agreement with the Asian country to provide $35 million for “reproductive health, population and development strategy, advocacy, and program coordination” over a four-year period.
Pakistan’s Business Recorder reported on August 8 that UNFPA officials had met with Pakistani Health Minister Abdul Malik Kasi and offered $250 million in assistance for reproductive health projects. A Health Ministry spokesman said, “The UN official contended that if the children are imparted awareness of small families from an early age, it will help control population growth.” UNFPA also insisted that the use of the money must be managed solely by the UN organization since “the financial assistance so far extended for population welfare projects has not been utilized justly.” The Pakistani Muslim culture, with its traditionally high regard for children and family, is likely to undergo major change as a result of this new cooperation with the UN.
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