‘Dip’ in population count rankles Balochistan

Census figures for province altered drastically, assembly cries foul

QUETTA:

During an extended farewell session on Tuesday night, the Balochistan Assembly vehemently responded to the apparent manipulation of Balochistan’s population figures in the digital census.

The assembly labeled this alteration as a calculated plot against the province, aiming to diminish its rightful representation in both national and provincial assemblies.

In a unanimous show of solidarity, the assembly also issued a strong condemnation of the devastating suicide bombing that occurred during a JUI-F convention in Bajaur. The attack tragically claimed the lives of more than 60 individuals, leaving numerous party workers and bystanders injured.

A resolution denouncing this heinous act was adopted in a collective display of grief and outrage.

Presiding over this significant session was Speaker Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali, who guided the proceedings as the Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Mir Asadullah Baloch, introduced the resolution to condemn the reduction in Balochistan’s projected population. Addressing the assembly, Mir Asadullah Baloch expressed profound concern over the consequences of the population reduction, pointing out the detrimental impact on the province’s share in various crucial domains.

He lamented that Balochistan had been compelled to relinquish portions of its entitlement in Reko Diq, Saindak, CPEC, the NFC Award, as well as federal government resources and the federal PSDP.

Highlighting the disconcerting turn of events, Mir Asadullah Baloch underscored that the federal government initially acknowledged Balochistan’s population to be 20.35 million in the recent digital census. However, this figure was abruptly revised downward to a mere 10.45 million, a shift that left many baffled and suspicious. “The reduction in population represents an unconstitutional decision, and we firmly reject it,” asserted Baloch.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2023.