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The Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday authorised the deployment of upto 200,000 troops to support the often delayed national population census, said a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The troops will be deployed while continuing other security responsibilities, added the ISPR statement.
The population census will yield statistics about internal migration, urbanisation, as well as rural and urban population across the country. The population data will be used for delimitation of the constituencies of the national and provincial assemblies, a requirement under the constitution.
In Pakistan, the first four censuses i.e., 1951, 1961, 1972 and 1981, were held on time by the Population Census Organisation, in collaboration with staff from the provincial governments.
The fifth census was due in 1991 and the House Listing Operation carried out in 1990 showed abnormal population growth in some parts of the country, which not be justified by normal demographic indicators.
Consequently, the government decided to postpone the 1991 census. Another effort was made in 1994, which could not mature due to pressure by from political and ethnic groups.
It was decided that the 1998 census would be held with the support of the armed forces, which was broadly accepted by all political parties and appreciated internally.
The sixth Population and Housing Census was due in 2008, but could not materialise due to the law and order situation in the country, a paucity of staff and financial constraints
Comments (30) Closed
Why troops for census? Can any one explain.
What role armed forces have in counting people?
I probably think there'll be around 250 million people .children factories everywhere.
Lol. The last census - foundation of policy making- was done in the 80s?! Only in pakistan!
Eagerly waiting the next population census to happen! Finally some progress on this front.
For census, civilian govt. is not responsible. It is surprising in a democracy.
Census is need for policy of development
Better decision. BUT...Like CPEC, Punjab will pressurize the org. to show the population of the province more than the actual population and the opposite(showing less as compared to the actual pop)for the rest of the country.
In any census teams nead to visit each household and fill information.Why do one need 2 lakh militaty men for this?In india mostly school teachers do this efficiently.
You will be surprised with results.
Unbelievable, We haven't had a census in 36 years
Hopefully it will change the dynamics of politics especially in Sindh, FATA and Balochistan.
The results will b in line of general perception of census is hold naturally
why are people opposed to census.Is it not a normal activity, decider for many social work undertaken by govt and non govt organisations.
We would like to see the Army deploy personal during elections to help the election commission, so no one can claim any wrong doing
Finally we will be able to know the demographics of Pakistan and make policies accordingly! This is important to step in the global emerging markets as well! Great move COAS! Long live Pakistan.
Great step taken by the chief!
Very important issue
Appreciable decision made, especially in presents of armed forces. This is going very lately, as by saying'' der aae durst aae''. A good opportunity to smaller suffering provinces to show their appearance, to get better shares e.g revenues, deceased quotas and employment opportunities for their natives. As concerned to jobs, lions share (major share) goes to Punjab province due its higher population then other provinces. It is 50% of total, while about 19% 11% 7% to Sindh KPK and Blochistan respectively and remaning to Capital Islamabad. A mischief by the pollicy makers spread GDP and major shares distributions depend over population's number, against the major share goes major producers. It creates minds to hater like fealings with their homeland and a little join agaist foe like activities. We dnt have illenimity to any province but we just want justice and respect to all provinces. FedGovt. to be held whole process safe and lucid that no one can fingerout the CENSUS after done it
Atleast we will get to know how many hindus r remaining .
Census has been kept in bay by politicians so they can set voting zones based on their advantage. This is a good step. Also, does this say anything about early elections?
Baffled - why you need troops for census - to count the population -never heard in any part of the world - surely very strange.
Why do you need 200,000 troops to conduct a simple Census? In the USA they just mail the form and we mail it back. No one visits us. Like wise they mail the Ballot papers and we mail them back. No hassle at all. Simple and efficient.
Pakistan was managed better early, as compared to now.
Pakistan was managed better early, as compared to now. Few bad rulers can easily destroy whole nation and take it 100yr back.
Pakistan need not worry about population boom.In fact,each and everyone will get employment of there choice once CPEC is completed.
Reality would be shocking hence census are deliberately postponed every time.
the first census of 1950s showed around 45 million as population. Today best est. are around 190 plus million. so this in just 50 years.. in next 50 years we will be around plus 600 million.. this is just food for the thought.
Good one, new census is a must thing.
Army is responsible for border and internal security of the country not for these task. What Political Administration is doing. Involvement of army will also prove credibility in census hence proved that only marshals are honest and patriot.