IF significant credibility gaps persist regarding the data of the ongoing seventh census, the massive exercise may prove just as controversial as the previous head count in 2017. Considering the huge sums involved and time invested, that would be a highly unsatisfactory outcome. There has been persistent criticism that some areas, particularly Karachi, are being undercounted, with both the MQM and the JI leading the chorus of discontent. Even the PPP-led Sindh government has been quite vocal about its reservations, with the provincial administration threatening to reject the results unless its concerns are addressed. There certainly seems to be cause for concern. According to provisional data, Karachi’s population appears to have dipped compared to the 2017 numbers. As per the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the megacity’s population is around 13.5m with 90pc of the census work completed. At the same point in 2017, the Karachi population was over 16m. Moreover, none of the city’s districts have witnessed an increase in population since the last census. Considering circumstantial evidence related to rural-urban migration, these numbers don’t appear to add up. However, PBS officials say there should be no premature conclusions, and everyone should wait for the final figures. The PBS has also called for rechecking around 30,000 buildings in Karachi that may have been missed.

The fact is that the census takers themselves have admitted to major obstacles, while the PBS chief has said the bureau has faced “serious challenges” in both Karachi and Lahore. He added that assistant commissioners have not generally displayed a helpful attitude in conducting the exercise. There has also been hesitation by citizens in many instances to share personal data with the enumerators, while the head count is also proceeding behind schedule in Balochistan, with only 62pc of the work completed. Considering that this is Pakistan’s first digital census, a far more transparent exercise is expected. All stakeholders — provincial governments, political parties, and most importantly the people — must be assured of the transparency of the exercise, and serious objections investigated and addressed. Provincial governments must also offer full cooperation to the enumerators. Likewise, the public should be assured that its personal data will be kept safe. Pakistan can ill afford to conduct a faulty census, or worse, work with dubious numbers when the head count is linked to things as essential as planning, funds and representation in parliament.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2023