SEVERAL meetings have been held on Census 2016 by the authorities concerned. Experts have given their feedback and political parties too have expressed their desire to support the holding of the census at the earliest. The problem is with the MQM, the PPP and the Baloch segment. Each one of them want their share larger and bigger in population, as larger population means a larger pie of the national finance.

The results of the household census conducted in 2011 showed very clearly 10-15pc growth rate in Sindh and in certain parts of Balochistan and lower-than-expected rates in Punjab. The last census was conducted under the army’s supervision for security and accuracy of entries.

The ongoing mess created by India on the eastern border and in Fata and Balochistan has made our army take on the rogue elements. We hope with some segment of army will be allowed to support the census as without this we cannot have an accurate census necessary for good planning.

The role of N-Leage is also dubious. It is announcing cuts in the NFC for various reasons even without going into some negotiation with provinces. The PPP wants a much larger chunk for the regions they govern while the PTI is silent on the matter.

Your voice on holding census is welcome and we hope census is conducted early in March while schoolteachers need to complete their school syllabus and take examinations by the end of March. So, there are many factors that can delay the census and also help conduct a better one.

Tauseef Ahmed

Islamabad

Published in Dawn December 7th, 2016