Population census to be undertaken in Oct 2008

ISLAMABAD—The 6th population census would be undertaken in the month of October next year.
Population Census Organization (PCO) told APP that census in 2008 would be 6th Population and Housing Census in the country. "Five censuses have been held so far in Pakistan in 1951, 1961, 1972, 1981 and 1998", the sources added. Like previous census, the 2008 census would be conducted through door to door enumeration to ensure collect accurate data of population.
The structure numbering and housing listing (inventory of housing units) would be carried out during first three to four days with the start of the census 2008, they remarked. They said that non contacted and homeless population would be covered on the last day of October 2008.
They further explained that the census is a stock taking of human resource of a country and in modern times has ceased to be a mere head count. Besides, they said that the census is meant for identifying people in places and ascertaining their personal characteristics pertaining to age, sex, martial status, their education.
They further said that the economic characteristics are also recorded including migration, fertility and housing characteristics.
With large scope of enquiries the census data has diverse application, uses and these can be broadly categorized by political, administrative, budgetary, economic planning, education and manpower planning, migration and urbanization, environment, population policy, public heath , demographic and population development studies, market studies etc.
They said that initial census planning and preparations entailing questionnaire designing, census mapping delimitation, updating of area lists, establishment of censuses Advisory committee expansion and setting up of field offices,launching of publicity campaign are underway to lay the ground work for holding free , fair and transparent census to produce reliable data on population and housing characteristics.

—APP