The second portion of the ongoing national population and housing census 2017 was started in the 13 selected districts of Khyber Pakthunkhwa and Orakzai Agency on Friday.
Following successful completion of the first portion, the enumerators along with relevant staff has starting housing and population census again Friday in the remaining around 7131 blocks in 13 selected KP districts and Orakzai Agency.
Assistant Census Commissioner Saeedur Rehman Khan said that the second portion started on March 31 and would continue till April 13.
He said about 14,500 staff including enumerators was participating in the census process in the province and FATA. In the second portion, housing and population in around 7131 blocks would be counted in upcoming 14 days in the above districts and Orakzai Agency.
The census process in 7131 blocks against total 14262 in KP and Orakzai Agency has already been completed on March 28 and the remaining 7131 blocks would be completed in the second portion starting from today.
The 13 KP districts where the second portion of census was underway include Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, Nowshera, Lakki Marwat, DI Khan, Hangu, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Batagram, Torghar and Orakzai Agency, Saeedur Rehman said.
He said the first phase of the census was started on March 15 after a gap of 19 years, would come to an end on April 13. The last national census was held in 1998.
He said the second phase will commence from April 25 to May 24, 2017 in 12 KP districts including Bannu, Kohat, Karak, Tank, Malakand, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Bunner/Daggar, Shangla and six tribal agencies namely Mohmand Agency, Khyber Agency, Kurram Agency, Bajaur Agency, South Wazir Agency and North Waziristan Agency.
The administrative divisions and districts of KP and FATA have been divided into urban and rural areas, comprising 200 to 2500 houses in each block to ensure correct and error free counting.
Rehman said a control room for the national census has been setup at his office that could be contacted on phone number 9212633 for registration of complaints. The official said a total of 120 complaints have been received till March 28. “Most of the complaints received from people are related to non-registration,” the official said adding once the complaints were received prompt action are being taken for its addressal.
During investigation, it was found that people who have registered complaints were in fact unaware that there number for registration would come on the second phase of the census process.
In case of wrong information or non-cooperation by any individual, he said, the accused would face six months imprisonment and Rs 50000 fine, he explained. He highly lauded the cooperation of people in the first phase of the census process in KP and FATA.
Rehman said first portion of census was smoothly held as no untoward incident was reported from any part of the province and Orakzai Agency. He urged the media and LG representatives to create awareness on regular basis among people about different stages, number and places of census.
