Population Census-2008 to cover entire Pakistan

ISLAMABAD—The Census-2008 will cover the entire area of Pakistan including Tribal Areas,(FATA/PATA), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Northern Areas.
The Census Commissioner, Muhammad Saeed told APP that the Government has decided to hold the next Population and Housing Census in 2008 after 10 years of the 1998 Census. "No nationwide activity would be undertaken six months before or after the census operation", he remarked.
He said that reliable statistics are essential for realistic planning, better management and effective administration. Population and Housing Census, being the principle source of data on size and distribution of population, provide basic data on demographic, social and economic characteristics of all persons and their living conditions in the country at a specified time, he remarked.
The Census Commissioner added that the data so collected serves as benchmark statistics for all socio-economic development plans and their evaluation as well as administrative and political activities. It also provides basis for establishing sampling frame for inter-censal sample surveys and projection of population to meet future requirements.
He said that the Census is held under the legal frame work provided by the Census Ordinance, 1959 (amended from time to time).
This ordinance, he said authorize the Federal Government to decide and launch census in the country and seek administrative support at provincial and local levels. "Census is a periodical activity, conventionally held after every ten years", he added. Muhammad Saeed said that the census-2008 will cover the entire area of Pakistan including Tribal Areas (FATA/PATA), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Northern Areas.
" All persons living in above areas will be enumerated except diplomatic personal and their families", he disclosed. He said that Canvasser method will be used in which information is collected/recorded by enumerator through door to door visit and interaction with the head/responsible member of household. He said that reliable and accurate population statistics are of fundamental importance.
The procedure and methodology involved in the census operation have to be well trained and trusted enabling the Population Census Organization to produce reliable and accurate data. For this purpose, he said, extensive consultations with experts and data users have been made through meetings and workshops at provinces regional level.
He added that the recommendations made by participants of these workshop during deliberations/discussions were kept in view whilst designing the draft questionnaires and the other methodological aspects for up-coming census. Muhammad Saeed said that choice of topics to be covered in a census depends on the users needs.
Historical continuity, comparability of census information at national and international level and quality of previously collected data are of vital importance, he added. He said that keeping in view these factors, draft questionnaires were designed and sent to various stakeholders to get their comments for improvements.
The draft questionnaires have been revised in the light of comments received and the recommendations of the methodology workshop. The Census Commissioner said that the Population and Housing Census is carried out through the provincial/district Government departments.
He said that in order to sensitize the provincial /district Government functionaries about the census and seek their cooperation/assistance for holding of fair, free, transparent and credible census, sensitization workshops were held at Islamabad and the four provinces headquarters A number of officers of provincial/district Government departments and professionals from other related organizations attended the meeting.—APP