ISLAMABAD: A petition seeking to ensure holding of just, fair and transparent census free from fake inclusions and unjust exclusions and calling for inclusion of foreigners in the headcount has been filed in the Supreme Court.

The petition filed by former judge of the Supreme Court Wajihuddin Ahmed seeks the court’s directives for the federal and provincial governments to ensure full, complete and absolute compliance with the law and the Constitution in the matter of the forthcoming census.

It should also be ensured that the fundamental rights of persons entitled to be counted in the census, personally and through households, are not violated in any manner whatsoever.

The petition pleads for a declaration that the census is not merely of Pakistani citizens but of all persons living in the country for the time being, adding that they must be counted on the basis of due and verifiable particulars.

The federal government should be directed to assume full jurisdiction in the matter of the forthcoming census and provide directions and guidance to the Council of Common Interests, as and when necessary.

Justice Wajihuddin, who now heads a political party, Aam Log Ittehad, also seeks a directive for the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to cancel all illegal CNICs and, where needed, to issue other cards/insignias for identification of persons holding such illegal CNICs.

He requests the apex court to prohibit all provincial governments from any direct or indirect interaction with the census functionaries. No census result should be announced until the armed forces’ component of the census personnel expressly approves it.

The petition cited the federal and provincial governments as well as the census authorities and Nadra as respondents.

It argues that for the purpose of a national census, nationality is of no consequence. Even foreigners, other than members of the diplomatic corps, are to be counted. The only criterion is whether one is located in Pakistan on the day the count is taken.

Meanwhile, through an appended stay application, the petitioner has prayed that the federal government be directed to perform its obligations, in due conjunction with the CCI and further that, under no circumstances, the census exercise be allowed to be derailed, let alone abandoned.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2017