Today marks the kickoff of Pakistan’s first digital census, as enumeration teams conduct house-to-house counts in Karachi, Bhakkar, Hafizabad, and Rahim Yar Khan during the first phase.
A total of 121,000 enumerators will visit 495 statistical districts around the country to collect data digitally.
Authorities will ensure security during the census by assigning a police officer to accompany each enumerator. They will also geo-tag important buildings and infrastructure for safety.
Authorities have deployed a security force of 86,000 military personnel.
They will use a computerised platform to conduct the census, which will calculate the population and number of dwellings in Pakistan.
Authorities have set aside Rs7.5 billion for security purposes, and they anticipate that the overall cost of the project will exceed Rs34 billion.
The Council of Common Interests
The Council of Common Interests (CCI) will authorize the distribution of preliminary census findings on April 30, and these findings will be used to create economic sense and identify new seats for future general elections.
According to Muhammad Sarwar Gondal, a member of the Institute of Statistics, the digital census will save the government between Rs5 and Rs6 billion.
Additionally, Enumerators using tablets will geotag each residence they visit, and they will record all data into a computer tab.
The authorities have completed the digital census preparations, including security precautions. They launched the census at the deputy commissioner’s residence in Rahim Yar Khan, where they assigned the first number.
Moreover, Bhakkar and Hafizabad are also conducting their own censuses, with 1,042 supervisors and enumerators in Bhakkar, and 121 supervisors and enumerators in reserve.
Enumerators will conduct the census house-to-house in Hafizabad.
Authorities expect military personnel and police officers to assist in ensuring that the digital census is an efficient and accurate way to collect data on Pakistan’s population and housing.
Furthermore, The results will aid in the future development and planning of the country.
Pavan Manzoor is an experienced content writer , editor and social media handler along with a track record of youth-oriented activities in Pakistan and abroad. She was selected as a fully-funded delegate as a leadership fellow in Turkey. She also led a team of 5 volunteers at the week-long Young Professionals Fellowship in Maldives. She is also a member of the Youth Standing Committee on Higher Education.
