ISLAMABAD: Religious leaders and health experts have jointly endorsed responsible family planning as both an Islamic obligation and national necessity during a high-level consultation organized by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) and the Population Council.
The meeting, chaired by CII Chairman Dr. Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi, brought together over 40 prominent scholars from various Islamic schools of thought to address Pakistan’s population challenges.
The consultation titled “The Islamic Perspective on Balance and Benevolence” emphasized that maintaining family size according to available resources aligns with Islamic teachings.
Scholars particularly highlighted the Quranic recommendation of two-year breastfeeding as a natural method for birth spacing.
Health experts presented alarming statistics, including Pakistan having the highest maternal mortality rate among Muslim countries with 11,000 pregnancy-related deaths annually, and 62 infants dying per 1,000 live births before their first birthday.
A joint declaration affirmed that birth spacing using permissible methods is allowed in Islam when health concerns exist, and preserving family health constitutes a religious duty.
The scholars agreed to promote this message through mosques and media, while a technical committee will be formed to guide public awareness campaigns.
Notable participants included former judges, religious scholars and civil society representatives who pledged to support government efforts in improving reproductive health and child welfare according to Islamic principles.
