There's been an appeal to politicians and religious leaders in Pakistan to reach a consensus on the approach to birth control in the country.

The call came from the head of the United Nations Population Fund, Dr Nafis Sadiq, who said that religious-based parties which opposed birth control should understand that Islam was not against family planning.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, she said countries such as Iran and Bangladesh had enjoyed considerable success in reducing population growth by reaching political agreement on the issue.