Contraceptive project hit by planning gaps

A parliamentary committee has revealed significant planning and implementation shortcomings in the federal government's contraceptive commodities project, which came to light during a Tuesday briefing. The committee's Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development was informed that the project's Peer Review Initial (PC-I) report, crucial for determining the required quantities of contraceptives, was neither finalized nor approved in a timely manner.

The PC-I had been prepared in 2019 but only received official approval in 2021. Health ministry officials further disclosed that the scheme lacked a dedicated project management unit, essential for its successful execution, while key components for monitoring, evaluation, and oversight were also absent from the plan. These deficiencies led to the project's PC-I being revised and restructured in alignment with the National Population Policy 2025-35, with ongoing consultations involving relevant stakeholders and provincial governments.

The committee, chaired by Senator Quratul Ain Marri, expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of Ministry of Planning and Development officials at the meeting, warning of a possible privilege motion if these officials do not attend future sessions. The committee was also briefed about the Rs150 million allocated for a nationwide media campaign to promote the contraceptive project, with a significant portion directed towards television channels, newspapers, radio, and social media platforms.