ISLAMABAD: The first meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) concluded without a decisive verdict on whether the upcoming elections in Pakistan will be based on the 2017 census or a freshly conducted one this year. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, discussed the implications of adopting a new digital census methodology.
Key dignitaries from various provinces and federal ministries attended the CCI meeting, including Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, caretaker Chief Ministers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, and several federal ministers and secretaries. However, the absence of Balochistan’s Chief Minister, due to a flight delay, created a hurdle in reaching a final decision during the session.
During the meeting, the Ministry of Planning presented the findings from both the proposed Digital Census and Household Census. Participants engaged in thorough discussions, but a consensus on the census issue remained elusive.
Chief Minister Sindh expressed his approval for the census. However, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) granted the authority of the census to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The final approval of Balochistan’s CM remains pending as he could not approach.
As a consequence, the matter was adjourned, awaiting the input of the absent dignitary.
The CCI Will Discuss The 2023 Census Today
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called a meeting of the Council of Common Interest (CCI) today to determine the fate of the 2023 census. There is disagreement among coalition partners on this matter. The crucial CCI meeting is scheduled for 12 pm. All chief ministers and federal cabinet members will attend the meeting.
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has reportedly informed the federal government that it has completed all formalities for the census. It can now present the results for approval to the CCI.
If the CCI approves the census results, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) might postpone the elections by a couple of months as it will need additional time to conduct the delimitation process again. New census notification mandates ECP to hold elections based on the updated data.
The ruling coalition has agreed to dissolve the National Assembly prematurely on August 9, three days before its term ends. This decision allows the electoral body a 90-day window to conduct the polls.
