Sixth population census begins in 63 districts across Pakistan

The first phase of the sixth national population census – the first in 19 years – began in 63 districts across the country from today (Wednesday).

In this first phase, from March 15 to April 15, the census will be conducted in 16 districts of Punjab, eight districts of Sindh, 14 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 15 districts of Balochistan, five districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and five districts of Gilgit-Baltistan.

In Karachi, President Mamnoon Hussain officially inaugurated the process of the census. He personally wrote the number on the State Guest House.

During the first three days of the first phase, officials will conduct house count. In the second phase, headcount will take place.

In the second phase, which will commence on April 25 and culminate on May 25, the census process will be conducted in 21 districts each of Punjab and Sindh, 18 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 17 in Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, and five each in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Census teams will conduct the process from 8AM to 5PM each day. Census reports will be completed in two months.

Assistant commissioner census Abdul Naveed, while speaking with Geo News, informed that 4,897 civilians and an equal number of Pakistan Army personnel will be participating in the process. The civilian and Army personnel will fill out separate forms.

Assistant commissioner Abdul Naveed further informed that the Pakistan Army will maintain the data received for each day. A control room has also been set up in DC Office for monitoring of the census.

Logistics

According to chief statistician Asif Bajwa, as many as 118,000 enumerators from different departments, including the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, have been trained for the process. 175,000 Army personnel have been deployed in the districts for the first phase of the census. 

One Army soldier would be attached with one enumerator throughout the exercise and they would be provided proper security cover-up by the Army.

The Bureau has set March 18 as reference day and whosoever present in the country on the day would be included in the census. Whoever lived in a particular place from six months on the reference day, would be registered from that place.

Overseas Pakistanis, living abroad for more than six months would not be included in the exercise while all the foreigners living in Pakistan for six months on reference day would be included in the exercise.

For the first time in the history of Pakistan, the transgender would be counted in the census, while the board would also conduct a survey later for identification of count and the nature of their disability.

A Help Line (0800 57574) has been set up for queries about the census process, Asif Bajwa informed.

Meanwhile, replying to a letter of Chief Minister Sindh on the matter of census, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar appreciated the support and cooperation being extended to the census operation by the provinces.

The Finance Minister said that Armed Forces will work with the civil enumerators for ensuring a transparent and smooth conduct of the census.

He also said that the Coordination and Vigilance Committees have been set up at the district level to monitor the process and ensure the accuracy of data collection.

Dar clarified that CNIC of the head of the family or any responsible person is required to ensure the authenticity of data. However, if a family does not have a CNIC, they can provide other forms of identification to prove their identity.