ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi was given a briefing on the dynamics
of national security and the situation in Afghanistan during his visit to the Inter-Services
Intelligence Headquarters on Thursday.
In view of the president’s keen interest in cyber-security, he was also briefed on the subject.
The president lauded the efforts of Inter-Services Intelligence for national security and expressed his satisfaction over its professional preparedness.
“President, being keenly interested in the subject, was also briefed on cyber-security,” the press release stated.
Earlier, ISI General Director General Faiz Hamid welcomed the president on his arrival at the ISI Headquarters.
Separately, President Dr Arif Alvi Thursday called for accelerating efforts to reduce the population growth rate and lower the total fertility rate in the country.
Expressing concern over the growing population, the president said the increasing population had not only affected the country’s resources but also created many social and economic problems.
He underscored the need for making integrated efforts by the provincial and federal
governments to create awareness and promote family planning services to check the alarming population growth.
The president expressed these views while talking to Senator Waleed Iqbal and Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
He further said malnutrition and stunting were the major health challenges that could be addressed by promoting optimal breastfeeding practices in the country.
The president urged the Ulema and media to play their role in promoting family planning and educating the people about the importance of birth spacing, which was highly
essential for the child and maternal health.
Appreciating the efforts of the president to check the increasing population, the senators
assured that they would play their role in an individual capacity to sensitize and guide the people about the implications of the increasing population.
