ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday admitted a private member bill to bind the government to hold census after every ten years, terming it basis for political and social development of the country.

The bill was introduced by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Member Yasmeen Rehman that was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance. Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi has directed the chairman of the committee to submit report on the bill on first private member day of next session as the bill was of extreme importance.

The bill seeks amendment in Census Ordinance 1959 under which the census may be held after every ten years.

However, in the bill, she proposed that it should be made binding on the federal government after every ten years.

She viewed that the previous census was held in 1998 and after 18th amendment, the provinces would be allocated resources according to the size of their population.

Besides, population planning and development is also dependent on the census and inordinate delay in holding of census was impediment in national progress.

Therefore, the amendment proposed is to ensure proper planning in every sector that would help to access the resources of the country for its proper use at national level.