Peshawar:Addressing a workshop on Peshawar Media coalition on Reproductive Health, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif, emphasized that reproductive health is not merely a health issue but a cornerstone of sustainable national development. He stated that the quality of a population, rather than its size alone, determines the trajectory of a nation’s progress.
Barrister Dr Saif stated that under Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched key maternal health initiatives, including nutrition support for expectant mothers, the ‘NourishMaa’ campaign to improve maternal nutrition, and extensive training programs for healthcare providers. The Integrated Health Project has unified various health services for better delivery. These efforts aim to reduce maternal mortality and improve healthcare access across the province.
He further revealed that during his tenure as Prime Minister, PTI founder Imran Khan launched major initiatives to improve maternal health in Pakistan. The Sehat Sahulat Program provided free health insurance covering maternity care for millions. He initiated the construction of mother and child hospitals, notably a 200-bed facility in Attock. Through the Ehsaas Programme, maternal nutrition was prioritized with supplements and awareness drives. Additionally, micro health insurance under Kamyab Pakistan offered free services to millions, including maternal care. These efforts significantly enhanced access to quality maternal health services nationwide.
“Reproductive health and family planning are fundamental elements in shaping a productive and healthy society. A well-facilitated and health-conscious population is a prerequisite for national development,” Barrister Dr. Saif remarked.He pointed out that the persistent gap between policy and its implementation is one of Pakistan’s critical challenges. While acknowledging the existence of policy frameworks at national level, Dr. Saif noted that real progress requires reducing the gap between policy formulation and its implementation.
“A developed nation is not one that merely drafts sound policies, but one that ensures their timely and equitable execution. We must shift from reactive to proactive governance if we are to truly address our social challenges,” he asserted.Highlighting the cultural and social dimensions of reproductive health, Dr. Saif clarified that past efforts relied too heavily on top-down, externally driven approaches without adequately engaging local communities, religious scholars and relevant stakeholders. He stressed that sociocultural dynamics must be respected and integrated into public health strategies.
“There is a critical difference between religion and religiosity,” he said. “The failure has often been in confronting religious apprehensions instead of constructively engaging religious scholars, community elders, and opinion leaders. Without this engagement, even the most well-funded programs will fail to reach hearts and minds.”Barrister Dr. Saif also underscored the need for building “acceptable social awareness” around reproductive health. He stated that campaigns must be designed in ways that align with local customs, values, and religious sensitivities.
“Social awareness is not about imposing alien concepts, it’s about creating understanding that is contextually acceptable,” he said. “Programs must be shaped with respect for our social realities and moral frameworks. If we fail to recognize this, we risk backlash, resistance, and ultimately failure.”
Concluding his address, Barrister Saif urged the media to play its role as a responsible partner in development, using its platforms to raise awareness, counter misinformation, and advocate for evidence-based health initiatives.
“The pen in your hands can shape the discourse, dispel myths, and push the state toward meaningful reform,” he said.