Census at last

Worldwide the national census is seen as a primary planning tool, the bedrock on which decisions may be made about many millions of futures. Most countries have a 10-year cycle of census and in theory so does Pakistan. The last census in Pakistan was in 1998, 17 years ago, and the next has now been announced as taking place in March 2016, an announcement that we welcome. Conducting a census every 10 years is a constitutional obligation which has been sidestepped by every government since 1998, but the Council of Common Interests (CCI) has now decided to hold the sixth census, and in doing so, will fulfil an election pledge of the sitting government. That said, the ruling PML-N had decided earlier not to conduct a census as it feared a backlash from the results — reasoning not far from that expressed by its PPP predecessor. The CCI made an identical decision in 2011 but it was not implemented by the then PPP government.



If the 2016 census takes place and if the results are published it will be a momentous moment. Much has changed in terms of demographics in the last 17 years, and the rapid urbanisation coupled with rural depopulation has changed the face of Pakistan in a relatively short period of time. It is going to take some steely resolve to make the census a reality, and steely resolve is not something the current dispensation is noted for. Conducting any census in Karachi is going to be fraught to say the least, and equally difficult in areas wracked by conflict — which include large parts of Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas. No matter what the difficulties, Pakistan must complete the census if it has any hope of creating policies that make it fit for purpose in the rapidly changing world of the 21^st century. There will be uncomfortable truths revealed that will impact on the political dynamic right across the country and not only in the ‘hot-spots’. What is important is that the census is seen to be implemented in a fair and honest manner. The whole process could become contentious if it is perceived that there is bias or vested interests involved. It must be ensured that the census takes place in an independent manner free of any political influence.

Published in The Express Tribune, March  20^th,  2015.

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