Advisory Committee finalises questionnaire for Census 2022

ISLAMABAD: The Advisory Committee has finalised the questionnaire for the Census 2022 and a summary has been forwarded to the Council of Common Interests for approval.

In this regard, Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar chaired the progress review meeting on the 7th Population and Housing Census 2022, titled “The Digital Census” on Friday.

The meeting was briefed about the work plan and progress. It was informed that the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) is strictly following the timelines and so far on track to provide the data in December 2022 to the Election Commission for delimitation process regarding the General Elections 2023.

The Cabinet on October 5, 2021 had already approved the recommendations of the Census Advisory Committee. Keeping in view the challenging timelines and gigantic activity of the first-ever Digital Census, the PBS is collaborating with various national organisations such as the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), National Database Registration Authority (Nadra), Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) and National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) for the provision of services for successful completion of activities.

Detailed consultative meetings were held with all the stakeholders and all major preparatory activities will be completed by the end of March 2022.

The meeting was also informed that an advertisement for hiring a firm for a social media campaign for the public has also been prepared.

Asad Umar directed the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to initiate the sharing of all activities of the census for awareness of all the stakeholders and the provinces must be involved in all processes. Also, sensitisation seminars may be held at each provincial headquarter for awareness and involvement of all the stakeholders.

He emphasised that the quality of services along with the timelines must be kept in mind before finalising the potential partners.

The minister directed proper professional monitoring of all the activities with the support of Gantt charts and through specially designed software for timely completion of the activities.

Asad Umar appreciated the work done by the PBS and directed it to follow the timelines rigorously and keep him updated on the progress and interventions needed.

Planning Commission deputy chairman; Ministry of Planning and Development secretary; PBS chief statistician; Muhammad Sarwar Gondal, focal person on Digital Census; and Rabia Awan, director of Census Planning and Coordination Section, were present on the occasion.