Sixth population survey to begin from March 15

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Maryam Aurangzeb has on Sunday said that the country is set to launch a national census for the first time in 19 years. Addressing a joint News Conference along with Director General ISPR, Major General Asif Ghafoor and Chief Census Commissioner Asif Bajwa in Islamabad on Sunday, she said that the census will start on March 15 and should be completed by May 15. The minister appealed the citizens to cooperate and warned against giving false information. The first phase will start from Wednesday and conclude on 15th April. After a ten day gap the second phase will start from 25th April and conclude on 25th May. Maryam Aurangzeb said that 18.5 billion rupees have been allocated for the census, adding that 1, 18,918 enumerators will perform duty during the census assisted by personnel of Pakistan army. “All the enumerators are government employees and have been fully trained,” she added. The minister said that during the door-to-door house listing and population count the profiling of the transgenders and disable persons will be included. She went on to say that after May 25 provisional lists will be published including number of males and females and rural and urban population. Director General ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said that nearly 200,000 soldiers will help civilian staffers collect the door-to-door data. He said that one solider will be deputed with each numerator to ensure smooth and transparent counting and for provision of security. The DG ISPR said that Pakistan Army is committed to provide fool-proof security during the drive, adding that there are 168000 blocks and one solider will be with one enumerator in each block. Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said that the army personnel will have direct link with NADRA to verify the data.