NewsMarch 16 , 2017
Census begins on SC orders under army
President urges nation to extend full cooperation for successful censusPESHAWAR: On the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the first phase of the sixth national population census – the first in 19 years – began in 63 districts across the country under the supervision of the Pakistan Army on Wednesday.The weeks-long process will deploy a team of more than 300,000 people and involve 55 million forms. "It´s a very hectic process, but we are ready for it," Nadeem Ehsan, a teacher clad in a green Pakistan Census 2017 jacket in Peshawar told AFP.
Fast-growing Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, with an estimated 200 million people, but has not held a census since 1998 due to years of bickering between politicians. The count could redraw the political map as the country gears up for a national election next year -- a prospect that has raised fears over power bases and federal funding.
It will help give a clearer picture about religious minority numbers in the country. The exercise appeared to have gotten off to a mostly smooth start Wednesday, with security forces watching closely -- many with their weapons in their hands -- as citizens answered questions in various cities. However, some signs of confusion were beginning to emerge, particularly regarding how the transgender population -- included for the first time -- would be documented.
The census form from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) does not list transgender people, seen as a third sex in Pakistan, as an option, baffling some activists. "If there is no mention of the third sex, it would be very bad for us as our population will go unnoticed," Farzana Riaz, president of activist group TransAction, told AFP.
Census spokesman Habibullah Khattak confirmed enumerators had been trained to note transgenders on the form separately. But he admitted public awareness of what exactly the census would count, and how, "has not been so wide".
The census will be the basis for revising political boundaries, parliamentary seat allocations and finances ahead of national elections, due to be held by the end of 2018. "It is very good, good for the public... (it) will help in providing a clearer picture of the population," Muddasir Ihsan told AFP in Peshawar.
The PBS will deploy some 119,000 people, including 84,000 enumerators, mainly teachers and local officials who will go door-to-door to count homes and then individuals. The Pakistan Army says it will dispatch up to 200,000 troops for the exercise, including 44,000 participating directly in the census-taking and making a parallel count using a second form.
The first census phase will take place from March 15 to April 15, the second from April 25 to May 25, and final results are expected by the end of July. Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain has urged the nation to extend full cooperation for the successful holding of sixth national housing and population census.
"Census is an important national obligation, which should be fulfilled by all without any groupings, political and non-political compulsions," the president said in a recorded video message telecast by the state-run TV. He said since the sixth national housing and population census had started in the country, it was the national obligation of all to make it a success.
The president highlighted the fact that correct population numbers were vital for the provision of basic life amenities to the masses and effective future planning. That was why, he added, it was responsibility of the whole nation to provide correct information to the census staff, who as part of their duty, would visit their houses.
The president said during this process all and correct information about children, elderly, men, women, ailing and even handicapped should be provided so that the state and government could confidently fulfil their responsibility of public welfare.
He said as the successful holding of population census could be achieved only through elated cooperation with the designated staff, "I expect from every individual of this nation to welcome the census staff and provide them with the correct information".
The president assured that all the information about every home and family would be kept secret, adding, in this respect all the relevant staff had been given special training and they were under oath to protect such information.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk
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