, "unavoidable circumstances" and "ground realities" have caused Pakistan's first-ever digital census){kind=link}
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), “unavoidable circumstances” and “ground realities” have caused Pakistan’s first-ever digital census to launch one month later than first anticipated.
The bureau announced the seventh population and housing census, which was supposed to begin on February 1. However, it will now begin on March 1 and last for one month. The census, which will take place over a month from March 1, was announced by the bureau.
The ability to meet this deadline will also depend on the project’s funding situation. 22 billion rupees have, however, been been aside for this project.
The digital census was approved by the previous administration in October 2021, and the debut date was scheduled for that same month in 2022. However, that date was later changed to February 2023. The PBS has until April 30 to submit the data.
According to a statement made available by PBS on Tuesday, the decision to postpone the field operation was decided during the census monitoring committee meeting on January 17. All representatives of relevant departments were present, including the Director General of Military Operations, and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal presided over the meeting.
“Preparations for the population and housing census: 126,000 tablets distributed and data enumeration site to be ready in upcoming weeks”
The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has the 126,000 tablets required for the exercise, according to background discussions and interviews with relevant stakeholders. Up to 121,000 individuals have received the tablets.
The data enumeration site will also be ready in the upcoming weeks. Information can be submitted online by individuals. Before the field operation, the hardware and software have been fully developed.
Last month marked the completion of the master trainer and trainer training programme. Training for enumerators took held from January 7 to January 21.
Politics and procedural issues also played a role in the delays. In each case, the incumbent administration gains. They now have till the end of August to complete the remaining portion of its mandate. The incumbent administration will have an advantage as they now have until the end of August to complete their mandate.