No census this year, govt tells SC

Thee apex court had on June 16 sought a timeframe from the federal government for holding the headcount in the country

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has expressed its inability to hold the much-delayed population count during the current year. The last census was organised in Pakistan in 1998.

On Tuesday, the federation submitted its response in the top court, stating the government would propose the Council of Common Interests (CCI) for holding the census in March or April next year.

The apex court had on June 16 sought a timeframe from the federal government for holding the headcount in the country. The CCI had on March 25 decided that efforts should be made to hold the population count in 2016.

In compliance of the Supreme Court’s order, Additional Attorney General Waqar Rana submitted a three-page report on behalf of the statistics division of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), which is responsible for holding the census



“In case, necessary strength of the armed forces’ personnel is made available, a fresh date will be proposed to the CCI for holding the census possibly in March/April 2017,” the report reads.

The statistics secretary along with other relevant officials visited the Military Operations Directorate at the General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi on July 20 to discuss the holding of census in current year.

The directorate has said the requisite number of troops could not be available as armed forces were still busy in Operation Zarb-e-Azb and other security related tasks.

The availability of troops will be re-assessed by December 2016.

On the completion of identity cards re-verification exercise, the government said the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) would inform the PBS about the cancelled CNICs issued to aliens.

The statistics bureau shall then firm up preparations for use of latest technology in data collection via cellphones and tablets.

On July 22, a follow-up meeting to discuss census was held with the representatives of NADRA, PBS and the GHQ.

The government reply stated that recommendations of local and foreign experts on possible alternative methodologies for holding a credible census were also being examined. The PBS has already made initial arrangements for holding the census while the PBS has been engaged with all stakeholders, including the defence ministry.

“The required funds have been allocated by the finance ministry in the 2016-17 fiscal for carrying out the entire process of the census,” the government said.

Before Eidul Fitr, the top judge had taken suo motu notice of the continuous delays in the population count, which was due to be held in 2008.

A senior election commission official told The Express Tribune that the census delays could also put off the delimitation of constituencies before the next general elections scheduled for 2018.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2016.