Abdul Ghani

Pakistan has recorded 12.11 million modern contraceptive users as it shifts to a rights-based reproductive health framework under the National Health and Population Policy (NHPP) 2025-34, according to a document available with Wealth Pakistan. The document reveals that the “Tawazun” (balance) narrative marks a clear departure from population-control approaches by redefining family planning as a voluntary health service based on informed choice, dignity, and accountability.

It guarantees access to reproductive health services without discrimination on the basis of gender, age, religion, marital status, or socioeconomic status. Under the NHPP 2025-34, family planning services are integrated into broader reproductive health care, with an emphasis on the availability of a diverse range of contraceptive options across all districts.

The policy seeks to remove longstanding physical and economic barriers, particularly in rural and underserved areas, while ensuring services are delivered in a culturally sensitive and medically ethical manner by trained healthcare professionals. The document attributes the increase in contraceptive users, which reached 12.11 million, to improved coordination between federal and provincial governments during the 2023-24 period.

This progress has contributed to reductions in unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths, resulting in improved maternal and reproductive health outcomes. A key reform under the policy is the nationwide transition from paper-based systems to Electronic Client Records (ECR) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR). The digitization of health data is expected to enhance service delivery, enable real-time monitoring, and strengthen evidence-based planning across the health sector.

Women and youth are identified as priority groups under the NHPP 2025-34, with expanded participation in health planning and service delivery. The policy introduces mechanisms for grievance redressal in cases of reproductive rights violations, reinforcing accountability and transparency within the healthcare system. The document says that by recording 12.11 million modern contraceptive users, Pakistan’s revised health policy signals a significant step toward strengthening public health outcomes and economic resilience.

Speaking to Wealth Pakistan, Samina Mumtaz Zehri, chairperson of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, said that improved access to reproductive health services will have long-term economic benefits by reducing healthcare costs, improving workforce productivity, and supporting sustainable development. She added that embedding family planning within a rights-based framework would help improve maternal health, reduce economic pressures on households, and support sustainable development goals.

Credit: INP-WealthPk