Pakistan’s federal government project to provide contraceptive commodities suffers from critical planning and implementation deficiencies, according to a Senate committee briefing reported by The Express Tribune on August 12, 2026. The Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development reviewed the initiative in Islamabad on Tuesday, uncovering delays, missing oversight units, and a lack of scientific demand assessments.
Parliamentary Committee Exposes Planning Delays and Oversight Gaps
The contraceptive commodities initiative was prepared in 2019 but did not receive official approval until 2021, according to health ministry briefings cited by The Express Tribune. Lawmakers learned that the project lacked a scientific assessment to calculate exact requirements for contraceptive commodities. Furthermore, health ministry officials confirmed that the project omitted a required project management unit, along with essential components for monitoring, evaluation, and oversight. The committee also found that the project failed to include an awareness campaign to promote contraceptive use and encourage smaller families.
Media Campaign Budget and Allocation Breakdown
Despite the implementation gaps, the briefing outlined a specific financial layout for a comprehensive media campaign aimed at promoting the project. Officials stated that a total of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 150 million is allocated for the campaign. Television campaigns claim the largest share at 59.48 per cent, amounting to PKR 89 million. Meanwhile, leading newspapers receive 14.45 per cent of the media campaign budget, totaling PKR 21.75 million.
Restructuring Plans and Absence of Planning Officials
Health ministry officials told the committee that the project is undergoing revision and restructuring to correct the identified shortcomings. According to The Express Tribune, authorities are realigning the project with the National Population Policy 2025-35, while holding consultations with provincial governments and relevant stakeholders to re-prepare the PC-I. Officials added that tracking progress against project indicators could be handled through Track 20 and annual reports.
The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Quratul Ain Marri, also addressed the notable absence of representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Development. “The Ministry of Planning could not even plan to attend the committee meeting, exposing the ministry’s poor planning,” Senator Marri said, expressing clear displeasure over the missing officials.