Population census at last
Population census is essential for more than just statistical reasons. It is very important for formulating economic policies as well, particularly in poor countries like Pakistan. And since one has been due since 1998, how has Islamabad been calculating key economic/financial indicators like per capita income, for example, or number of people below the poverty line? In the absence of concrete stats, economics is at best a science of guesswork. Little surprise, in hindsight, that most governments have been groping in the dark; clueless about the real depth of our economic problems, particularly in middle and lower income groups.
But better late than never, especially when the economy and a sea of poor are concerned. Therefore, however long it has taken for the Council of Common Interests to finally meet, it is a god sign that the next population census has been green-lighted for March 2016. However, just like whenever it was last held, the government will need the military to carry out the exercise. In a country where the government has already ceded much political space, perhaps it is natural for it to involve the army in all sorts of matters.
It will be important, though, not to let political considerations derail the process. The PML-N leadership has a long memory, so it would not have forgotten how it was responsible for putting a spanner in the works when the PPP government conducted a housing census last time, with plans to follow with a national population census. The N-league was not too impressed by the declining trend in housing units observed in Lahore, in contrast to the increasing trajectory in Karachi and interior Sindh. Since both censuses will be held “side-by-side” this time, hopefully there will be no issues. It is hoped, however, that the meeting would have impressed the importance of the CCI on the prime minister. He’s not too fond of most constructive platforms, including the Assembly and Senate, so hopefully the fresh ground broken will change his ways somewhat. For example, if the Council had met earlier, the decision to tap the multi-trillion-dollar international Halal Food market would forever be elusive. And it would also take infinitely longer to iron out issues relating to provinces in the wake of the 18th amendment. The government should, therefore, give the CCI the attention it deserves.