Sikhism to be included in census forms, rules PHC

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday ordered that the section of Sikhism be included in the religion column in the census form.

The PHC was hearing a case filed by the Sikh community, which requested that the section related to Sikhism should be included in the form, similar to other sections present of the religious minorities.

The high court directed that the implementation of the ruling should be carried out in the second phase of the population census.

According to recent updates, the amended forms for registering the physically challenged people have been issued. Apart from this, the code has also been issued for the transgender and handicapped.

On Tuesday, a Sikh community leader filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) to include Sikhism in the religion column in the census form.

Talking to Geo News, Sikh community leader, Advocate Heera Singh Khalsa said he filed the case on the basis of article 25-1 that says: "All citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law."

Following which, the SHC sent notices to the Chief Census Commissioner and Provincial Census Commissioner to submit their response over the matter.