ISLAMABAD: About half of the 16.8 million married women in Pakistan do not use modern contraceptive methods to avoid children or want to postpone pregnancies for at least two years.

If all modern contraception needs were met, there would be 3.1 million fewer unintended pregnancies annually, 2.1 million fewer induced abortions and nearly 1,000 fewer maternal deaths.

This was claimed in a report which was jointly produced by the Guttmacher Institute and the Population Council.

The report titled: `Adding it Up: Costs and Benefits of Meeting the Contraceptive and Maternal and Newborn Health Needs of Women in Pakistan` was launched at a local hotel on Tuesday.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza was the chief guest at the launching ceremony.

The report, based on data from 2017, claims that women in Pakistan have an esti-mated 3.8 million unintended pregnancies each year, most of which result from unmet need for modern contraception. Pakistan is currently spending $81 million per year on contraceptive services. To fulfill needs for modern contraception, Pakistan would require an additional $92 million per year, the report said.

It recommends that provincial governments, the federal government, the private sector and international development partners must all increase their investment in modern contraceptive services to fully meet the need for modern contraception.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza reiterated government`s commitment to population welfare.

He stressed the need for sustainable population control as high level of population growth would undermine economic growth in the country.

`This study has been released at a very appropriate time and provides strong research-based evidence of how much additional money Pakistan needs for mother and child healthcare and contraceptive care that will guide the government to increase funding in these areas. This study will be helpful in policymaking, allocation of funds and initiation of a constructive dialogue to overcome issues posed by unprecedented population growth,` he said.

`It is unfortunate that every year four million women face unwanted pregnan-cies. Former chief justice of Pakistan had also taken notice of increase in population.

Government has allocated Rs200 billion for Ehsaas Programme and Rs10 billion would be allocated for the population welfare. Moreover, religious scholars would also be contacted to control population, Dr Mirza said.

Population Council Country Director Zeba Sathar, who is co-author of the report, said: `This study provides robust evidence that makes the investment case for additional financing for family planning services in Pakistan. Investing more in contra-ceptive care, especially within the public health system, will give a much-needed boost in meeting both family planning and maternal health goals and will support the 2018 Council of Common Interests recommendations on family planning, and lead to overall savings by reducing the additional costs of unintended pregnancies.

Vice President for international research at the Guttmacher Institute Susheela Singh said comprehensive strategies to improve reproductive healthcare were vital for ensuring the well-being of women and their families.