Complete census data sent to ECP: Kamran Michael

BUREWALA: Federal Minister for Statistics Kamran Michael said Saturday that the Ministry of Statistics had sent complete data of the population census to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to make preparations for this year’s general elections.

Talking to reporters at the office of member of National Assembly Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad Arain, Michael said that the government had ordered re-census in five per cent blocks to remove the reservations of other political parties, including those of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). He further said that census in these areas would be carried out by a third party, adding that the federal cabinet had already approved the recommendation in this connection.

Responding to a query regarding the population census, the minister said that all the provinces have sent their technical teams and expressed satisfaction over the census results, adding that except for MQM, all other political parties and the Sindh government had expressed their confidence in census results from Sindh.

Replying to a question about the Kasur incident, he said that the incident had exposed the evil face of our society in which the role of the media was highly appreciable for creating awareness amongst the people about the sensitive issue of child molestation.

He said, “Punjab government is utilising all the resources to arrest the accused involved in this incident, as the DNA report indicated that a serial killer was at work, who might also be involved in the last five incidents. The government does not want to take steps in a hurry and our top priority is to reach the original suspect. Investigation agencies are engaged in their work and would be successful very soon.”

Responding to yet another query, the minister said, “I belong to a minority group and PML-N selected me as a provincial minister for finance twice, adding that the party had given due representation to minorities while other political parties did nothing to resolve the problems being faced by the minorities.

He added that the minorities had given equal sacrifices for the sake of the motherland and were always ready to protect the country from evil designs of anti-state elements.

Later while addressing a cheque distributing ceremony amongst the victim family of Sharon Masih at Chak No 461/EB, Michael said that our forefathers had rendered matchless sacrifices to create a separate Muslim state in the subcontinent where minorities could enjoy equal rights too.

He further said that the nefarious designs of anti-state elements could be defeated by unity and religious harmony. “Though Christians are a minority in Pakistan, but their patriotism is beyond any doubt,” he said.

The minister also said that Pakistan was passing through a critical time as terrorists continued to attack schools, mosques, imambargahs, churches and religious places of minorities.