RAWALPINDI, Oct 10: The federal government has no funds for holding the next population and housing census. The census, which was scheduled to be held this month, may be delayed by several months.

Chief Census Commissioner Khizer Hayat Khan said that funds for the sixth census had not been released to the Population Census Organisation. When asked about the amount of required funds, the commissioner only said: “If funds are made available, the organisation will be able to hold the census in December.”

Population statistics are needed for planning long-term economic development. The density of population has an important bearing on planning for water supply, housing and other municipal amenities. However, Pakistan has a poor history of census.

Only two censuses were held on time; one in 1951, and the other in 1961. The third was scheduled for 1971 but was held in 1972 because of the war that resulted in separation of East Pakistan.