THIS refers to the news item “Former SC judge threatens to challenge ‘unconstitutional’ census” (Jan 26). Justice Wajihuddin Ahmad has warned he will move court if the forthcoming census is not held in a constitutional manner.

He believes that holding census is the responsibility of the federal government. But the most startling and alarming was the disclosure by the former judge that the Sindh government has been involved in issuing CNICs to the residents of the rural areas. This has been rightly termed “pre-census rigging” by the former judge.

This, according to Justice Wajihuddin, is the Sindh government’s interference in census, although holding population count is the domain of the federal government.

Census has indeed more significance than national elections as socio-economic development depends on a population count. If this exercise is done in an unconstitutional manner and if a provincial government indulges in unfair practices, this will not only make census a futile exercise, it will also give birth to a new political or ethnic storm.

More importantly, such unscrupulous tactics will deprive the people and areas which deserve more funds and resources on the basis of population. There must be a reasonable cut-off date for the issuance of CNICs.

Justice Wajihuddin should move court in the national interest to challenge the Sindh government’s pre-census rigging.

Naseem Khan

Karachi

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THE federal government will start census from March 15. Census is an important constitutional obligation of the state as the census data is used in making important economic, social and financial policies.

Census data is used in policymaking, including tackling water shortages, health and education. The census 2017 holds an extra importance as it is being held after 19 years.

A large chunk of our population is illiterate and they don’t know the importance and use of the census data. They don’t know that providing correct data to the enumerators holds so much importance. Public awareness before the census is of utmost importance. Besides illiteracy, the public also is reluctant in sharing facts with the enumerators because they don’t know the importance of their data.

The government should try to convince public that this data is important for them and that on the basis of this data development works from street and house level to the national level are designed.

The people should be aware that the census data will be used in poverty alleviation, educational planning, skill development and employment planning. Therefore it is the duty of every citizen to provide accurate data and profile of his family members.

The federal government should make public awareness as part of its census drive and let the people know the importance of census.

Shayan Khan

Lahore

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2017