The Sindh High Court (SHC) Tuesday directed the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) to apprise it when it will take fresh population census in the country.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Faisal Arab had taken up a petition filed by Dr Muhammed Siddique Rathore, vice president of the Jamiat Ulema Pakistan (JUP), who moved the court seeking its directives for the respondents to hold population census in the province before holding local government elections.
Following the court order, the PBS submitted a report stating that it was willing to conduct the fresh census; however, the matter was pending with the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
It submitted that at least 10 months were required for making necessary arrangements and developing coordination with the provinces to undertake the exercise. Moreover, necessary funds were also required.
The PBS’ report said a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) scheduled to be convened on March 10 would take up the issue of holding fresh population census in the country. It was stated that the PBS had already forwarded a letter to the inter-provincial coordination department to coordinate efforts towards arrangement for the census as directed by the court and submit a report. It added the department had also taken up the matter with the prime minister.
During the previous hearing, the court had directed authorities concerned, more particularly the cabinet division, prime minister secretariat and PBS to submit a detailed and comprehensive report after preparations so that the census as required can be held within the shortest possible time and steps towards the same be initiated at once. The court adjourned the case for April 3.
