TAXILA: The first phase of the ongoing population census enumeration process in Hassanabdal was monitored by an observer from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to determine the process’ alignment with international standards.

UNFPA observer Uzoma Okoye along with national observers Dr Naushin Mehmood and Dr Rafeeq Chandio visited the rural areas of Jallo and Khaliqdad and the urban areas Takkia and Housing Colony with Attock deputy commissioner Rana Akbar Hayat and assistant commissioner Mujahid Abbas.

The observers received details from the Federal Bureau of Statistics about the challenges and results of the door-to-door census drive, and examined the ongoing enumeration process.

In its first phase, the population census is being conducted in 16 districts in Punjab, eight districts in Sindh, 14 districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 15 districts in Balochistan, five districts in Azad Kashmir, five districts in Gilgit-Baltistan and one agency in Fata.

The first phase will conclude on April 15, and the second phase will be conducted between April 25 and May 25.

Speaking to the media, Mr Abbas said local and international UNFPA observers said the team visited various urban and rural areas to monitor the ongoing census process.

In response to a question, he said the team expressed satisfaction with the arrangements for the census process and data collection so far. He added that officials working on the census have done well.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2017