Provincial officials announced a new bill today that will require mandatory premarital counselling for all couples, a legislative move aimed at tackling severe public health crises including genetic disorders linked to cousin marriages and the prevalence of unsafe abortions.
At a joint press conference, Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah detailed the proposed Premarital and Marital Counselling Bill, describing it as a major social reform rather than just a health initiative.
Dr. Pechuho stated the legislation will make guidance sessions compulsory for couples before their marriage registration. These sessions will cover essential topics such as family planning, reproductive health, mental well-being, and fostering mutual communication.
A key objective of the counselling is to promote birth spacing of two to three years, which the minister identified as crucial for improving maternal health and lowering the incidence of high-risk pregnancies. She noted that a lack of awareness often leads women to seek unsafe abortions, a trend the government hopes to curb through widespread education.
The health minister also highlighted that the initiative will address sensitive cultural issues. She explained that counselling will encourage open dialogue about family planning, a topic many women in Pakistan feel hesitant to discuss with their spouses. Furthermore, the sessions will clarify that a child”s gender is determined by the male chromosome, aiming to end the practice of blaming women for the birth of a girl.
The program will also cover practical health information, including newborn vaccination schedules, breastfeeding rights, and directions for accessing primary healthcare facilities. Dr. Pechuho expressed particular concern over consanguineous marriages, which she linked to a higher risk of genetic conditions like heart defects and Down Syndrome. She also issued a warning about the serious health risks for women who undergo more than three C-section deliveries.
To test the program, the health department has initiated pilot projects in Karachi South and Tando Allahyar, where couples are receiving structured guidance using specially developed training modules.
Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah described the bill as an essential public education programme designed to empower young couples to make informed decisions. He affirmed the government”s commitment to enacting legislation that provides direct benefits to new families and strengthens society as a whole.
Shah commended the media for its role in public awareness and encouraged further coverage of the initiative. He expressed his intent to expand the counselling programme to Sukkur in its next phase and mentioned that provincial and local bodies are actively working to enhance urban services and living standards.