ISLAMABAD, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Monday that the country has been striving to control challenges of rapid population growth and mounting climate vulnerability for socio-economic development.

"The country continued its trajectory toward macroeconomic stabilization and growth. Pakistan could not realize its full potential without addressing the pressures created by population momentum and escalating climate risks," the minister said while addressing an event here.

He said that the impacts of high population growth were reflected in persistent human development challenges, including child stunting, learning poverty and a workforce insufficiently equipped for the future.

Similarly, Aurangzeb said climate change continued to expose communities to extreme temperatures, floods, droughts and environmental degradation, with the most severe effects falling on districts already struggling with poverty, weak infrastructure and limited access to essential services.

Highlighting the country's commitment to supporting national efforts in population and climate-related issues, the minister said Pakistan will adopt an approach to ensure long-term resilience and equitable development with enhanced budgeting and resource allocation.

The country will take steps to counter the unchecked trend of rural-to-urban migration and the expansion of informal settlements, where inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene conditions contribute to poor nutrition outcomes, he said.

He also called for further research on urban vulnerabilities to address the full spectrum of demographic and climate-linked challenges. Enditem