FOR the first time in national history, a digital population census has started across the country. This is going to be one of the most expensive censuses in the history of Pakistan. The government has spent a huge amount on buying the latest gadgets that are not available locally.

Although the official results of the population census held in 2017 were not publicly announced due to reservations expressed by some political parties, another census has commenced in the country in less than a decade. This time again there are some issues that may create political turmoil in the immediate future.

For instance, the latest laptops being used in the census have internet access and the information that is being gathered from the citizens can be directly uploaded on to the main server based in the offices of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) headquarters. This is surely going to be a positive step for urban areas, but what about the periphery areas where proper internet service is still a dream? How will these laptops upload the data on to the PBS database from those areas?

Then the software that is being used in the gadgets is new for many who are using it. They are unable to use it properly. So, how will they upload the data correctly? Or what if the data uploaded on to the system has errors?

Furthermore, the major issue with this census is that one does not have to show one’s CNIC, which is the basic document for identification and for registration of voters. As there is no need for CNIC in the ongoing digital census in the country, will the refugees living in Pakistan be also added to the national population?

If yes, then the population of cities in Sindh where there are refugees will be much higher compared to the previous census. Resultantly, the political parties will demand increase in the seats of national and provincial assemblies in Sindh. In turn, this will lead to political chaos in the future which Pakistan can hardly afford.

The government should come up with some solutions to the problems related to the ongoing census, especially in Sindh.

Faisal Ahmed
Khairpur Mirs

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2023