Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, alongside Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, held a joint press conference on Wednesday, highlighting the importance of the newly proposed Premarital and Marital Counselling Bill aimed at improving family health, women’s well-being and social awareness.
Dr. Pechuho said the bill is not merely a health-related initiative but a major social reform. She stated that the bill will ensure mandatory counseling for couples before marriage registration, guiding them on family planning, reproductive health, mental well-being and mutual communication. Counseling will promote birth spacing of 2-3 years, essential for women’s health and reducing high-risk pregnancies. Many women resort to unsafe abortions due to lack of awareness; widespread counseling can help reduce such cases. Proper family planning helps manage household expenses and improves child care.
She further emphasized, In Pakistan, many women hesitate to discuss family planning with their husbands-this bill will encourage healthy communication between couples. Counseling will also cover newborn vaccination, breastfeeding rights, and where to access primary healthcare services. She highlighted concerns regarding cousin marriages, which often lead to genetic disorders, including heart defects and Down Syndrome. The minister clarified that the gender of a child is determined by the man’s chromosome, saying women should not be blamed for the birth of a girl. She also warned that multiple C-sections after three deliveries pose serious risks to women and awareness is crucial. The health department has already launched pilot projects in Karachi South and Tando Allahyar, where couples will receive structured counselling using specially developed training modules.
Nasir Hussain Shah said this is an essential awareness and public education programme that will help young couples make informed decisions. He added that the government is committed to legislation that directly benefits new families and strengthens society. He appreciated the media for its role in raising awareness and urged more coverage of the initiative. Shah expressed his desire to include Sukkur in the next phase of the programme.
Sindh has the most empowered local government system in the country, though challenges-such as Karachi’s drinking water problems-still exist. The Chief Minister, Mayor Karachi and local bodies are actively working to improve urban services and living standards.