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2023 Pakistani census

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2023 Census of Pakistan
← 2017 1 February - 23 March 2023
General information
CountryPakistan
Topics
Census topics
  • People and population
  • Families and living arrangements
  • Nationality
  • Language
  • Religion
  • Education
  • Economic Characteristics
  • Housing
AuthorityPakistan Bureau of Statistics
Websitepbs.gov.pk

The 2023 Census of Pakistan will be a detailed enumeration of the Pakistani population that will be the seventh national census in the country.[1][2][3] It is currently scheduled to be held from 1 Feb 2023 to 4 Mar 2023 and will be conducted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.[4]

Background

The Constitution of Pakistan requires that a population census be held every ten years. The results of censuses in Pakistan are used for resource allocation, sampling frames, constituency delimitation, apportionment, and for policy planning in the future.[5]

After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, censuses were held in the years 1951, 1961, 1972 (delayed one year due to war in 1971), and 1981. However, the next censuses following were delayed until 1998 and 2017 due to politicization and instability. The 2017 census was the last census completed in the country, and recorded a total population of 213.2 Million[note 1].

Most international organizations and demographers were projecting Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, to have a population between 17 Million and 25 Million prior to the census,[9][10][11] but when the results of the census came back, they showed Karachi's population standing at 14.9 Million. Because of this, the results of the 2017 Census were controversial and were immediately contested by the Government of Sindh[12][13] and many major Sindhi political parties, namely the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement,[14][15] and the Pak Sarzameen Party,[16] all of which refused to accept the final results and requested a recount. They cited studies conducted by intergovernmental organizations such as UNICEF,[13] national identity card statistics,[16][15] and voter rolls[14][15] to support their claim, as well as taking note of the issue that no post-enumeration survey was held after the 2017 census.[17][13] The Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah claimed that the population of Sindh stood at 61 Million (above the enumerated count of 48 Million)[13]

Because of Sindhi opposition to the 2017 Census results, the publication of the final results was held back for years by the Council of Common Interests (CCI), where Sindh repeatedly expressed its objections.[18][19][20] Finally, in April 2021, the CCI pushed through and approved the final results of the 2017 census under the condition that Pakistan would hold another census before the ten-year deadline, and the results of that census would be used for the delineation of constituencies in the 2023 general election.[21]

By February 2022, a timetable for the conduction of the census had been prepared based around the enumeration occurring in August 2022,[2][3] but in early April, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics faced a major roadblock, as a delay occurred in the procurement of equipment for the exercise. This delayed the census date by several months from the original plan, as the pilot census and training could not occur in a timely manner.[22]

While originally, the plan was shifted for the census to occur from October 15 to November 15,[23] another delay occurred, pushing the census to the last week of December, while the results of the census would be submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan by March 2023.[4] Then, in early November a further postponement of three months occurred, as fieldwork was set to begin 1 February 2023 and to end 4 March 2023.[24] This delay was large attributable to the devastating floods that had ravaged the country that year.[25]

The pilot phase of the census successfully began on July 20, 2022 throughout 429 census blocks of 83 tehsils across the entire country. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) deployed its technology to ensure accuracy, accountability, and transparency and inaugurated the software that would later be used for the census.[26][27][28] The pilot census completed on August 3, and NADRA was directed to prepare a detailed summary to present to the Federal Minister of Planning and Development.[29][30]

Design

The Planning and Development Minister of Pakistan Asad Umar has stated that the Military will take charge of security but will not partake in Data Collection.[2][3] Pakistanis will be counted on the basis of where they lived in the last six months, on an "as is, where is basis".[3] The exercise is also going to be Pakistan's first digital census,[3] with Umar stating that "98 percent of the process" will be conducted digitally,[2] and geo-fencing and GIS mapping will be used to monitor the operation.[3]

The 2023 Census of Pakistan will involve two questionnaires: a housing questionnaire and an individual questionnaire. Each question in both forms was deliberated on and improved by a twelve-member Questionnaire committee, headed by Demographer Dr. G. M. Arif. On July 15, 2021, the committee held a meeting where they finalized both questionnaires unanimously after a comprehensive study.[31]

On the individual form, the religion question saw an expansion. The number of religious identifications Pakistanis could go by in the 2017 census was six (Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Ahmadiyya, Scheduled Castes, and Other),[32] but this has increased to eight as of 2023 with the addition of the Sikh and Parsi categories.[31] This change came after significant campaigning by Pakistani Sikhs for recognition as a religion in 2017.[33] The change also had been mandated by a Pakistani chief justice ruling in October 2018 that in the next census, a separate category for Sikhs would be provided under the religion question.[34]

The question asking for respondents' mother tongue also saw its number of categories increase. Whereas in 2017, only ten categories were listed (Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Kashmiri, Saraiki, Hindko, Brahui, and Other), the form for the 2023 census has sixteen choices.[35] Shina, Balti, Mewati, Kalasha, Kohistani, and Pothwari are all recognized in the 2023 form as valid options to select in the language question.[31]

The nationality question also saw an improvement, going from a binary option asking respondents whether they were Pakistani or not,[36] to giving respondents more options. The 2023 form includes five choices Pakistani, Afghan, Bangladeshi, Chinese, and Other.[31]

Timeline

  • February 23, 2022: The National Census Coordination Center (N3C) was inaugurated in preparation for the census. It will monitor live census data and information.[2][3]
  • July 20, 2022: Pilot phase of census begins as information technology deployed across 429 census blocks.[26][27][28]
  • August 3, 2022: Pilot phase of census ends successfully.[29][30]
  • Field work start from February 01, 2023 to March 04, 2023.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The population of the four provinces and Islamabad Capital Territory being 207,684,626,[6] the population of Azad Jammu & Kashmir being 4,045,367,[7] and the population of Gilgit-Baltistan being 1,492,924.[8]

References

  1. ^ "7th Population and Housing Census 2022: PBS hosts first sensitisation workshop". 7th Population and Housing Census 2022: PBS hosts first sensitisation workshop. The News International Pakistan. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Umar rules out military role in 7th digital census". Umar rules out military role in 7th digital census. The Express Tribune. 23 February 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Pakistan's first-ever digitised population census to be completed in August 2022". Pakistan's first-ever digitised population census to be completed in August 2022. Geo News. 23 February 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Pakistan's 7th Population Census Postponed for Lack of Technical Equipment". Pakistan's 7th Population Census Postponed for Lack of Technical Equipment. ProPakistani.PK. 12 August 2022. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Census Story – Pakistan Bureau of Statistics". Census Story – Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  6. ^ "TABLE - 1 AREA, POPULATION BY SEX, SEX RATIO, POPULATION DENSITY, URBAN PROPORTION, HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE" (PDF). National.pdf. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. 19 May 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 27 September 2021 suggested (help)
  7. ^ "STATISTICAL YEAROOK 2020" (PDF). Statistical Yearbook 2020.pdf. AJ&K BUREAU OF STATISTICS PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. 5 January 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  8. ^ "GILGIT-BALTISTAN at a GLANCE 2020" (PDF). Gilgit Baltistan at a Glance New Design.cdr. Government of Gilgit-Baltistan Planning & Development Department Statistical & Research Cell (SRC). 20 January 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  9. ^ "MAJOR AGGLOMERATIONS OF THE WORLD". Major Agglomerations of the World - Population Statistics and Maps. Citypopulation.de. 2 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2022. Population of Karachi Estimated on January 01, 2017 to be 25,100,000
  10. ^ "The World's Cities in 2016" (PDF). The World's Cities in 2016. United Nations. 2 September 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 September 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2022. Population of Karachi Estimated in 2016 to be 17,121,000
  11. ^ "Demographia World Urban Areas 12th Annual Edition: 2016:04" (PDF). Demographia World Urban Areas 12th Annual Edition: 2016:04. Demographia. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2022. Population of Karachi Estimated in 2016 to be 22,825,000
  12. ^ "CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah demands new census across Pakistan". CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah demands new census across Pakistan - Pakistan - Dunya News. Dunya News. 8 April 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  13. ^ a b c d "Sindh to take up census issue at joint session of parliament, Murad tells PA". Sindh to take up census issue at joint session of parliament, Murad tells PA. Dawn. 23 April 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  14. ^ a b "MQM-P claims CCI acknowledges 2017 census as flawed". MQM-P claims CCI acknowledges 2017 census as flawed. Dawn. 13 April 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  15. ^ a b c "MQM-P again highlights 'flaws' in census results of Karachi". MQM-P again highlights ‘flaws’ in census results of Karachi. Dawn. 10 December 2019. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Rulers afraid of counting city population correctly, claims Kamal". Rulers afraid of counting city population correctly, claims Kamal - Pakistan Observer. Pakistan Observer. 6 May 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  17. ^ Wazir, Muhammad Asif; Goujon, Anne (June 2019). "Assessing the 2017 Census of Pakistan Using Demographic Analysis: A Sub-National Perspective" (PDF). Assessing the 2017 Census of Pakistan Using Demographic Analysis: A Sub-National Perspective. Vienna Institute of Demography. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Controversy over 2017 census: Sindh CM asks PM to intervene in dispute". Controversy over 2017 census: Sindh CM asks PM to intervene in dispute. The News International Pakistan. 30 December 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Census-2017 results to be discussed in CCI meeting on Jan 27". Census-2017 results to be discussed in CCI meeting on Jan 27. Geo News. 25 January 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  20. ^ "Council of Common Interests stays divided on 2017 census". Council of Common Interests stays divided on 2017 census. Dawn. 8 April 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  21. ^ "CCI decides to start new census by year-end". CCI decides to start new census by year-end. Dawn. 13 April 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  22. ^ "Population census hits snag". Population census hits snag. The Express Tribune. 8 April 2022. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  23. ^ "Official orders to set up census centres in GB". Official orders to set up census centres in GB - Pakistan - DAWN.COM. DAWN.COM. 12 June 2022. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  24. ^ "Seventh census postponed for three months". Seventh census postponed for three months - Daily Times. Daily Times. 8 November 2022. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  25. ^ "Census completion delayed by almost four months: sources". Census completion delayed by almost four months: sources - Pakistan - SAMAA. SAMAA. 7 November 2022. Archived from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  26. ^ a b "7th population, housing census: PBS inaugurates software". 7th population, housing census: PBS inaugurates software - Pakistan - Business Recorder. Business Recorder. 27 July 2022. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  27. ^ a b "Software to conduct first-ever digital census enters pilot phase". Software to conduct first-ever digital census enters pilot phase - Pakistan - DAWN.COM. DAWN.COM. 27 July 2022. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  28. ^ a b "NADRA to complete first-ever digital census by Aug 3". NADRA to complete first-ever digital census by Aug 3. The Express Tribune. 27 July 2022. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  29. ^ a b "First digital pilot census completed". First digital pilot census completed. The News International Pakistan. 4 August 2022. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 5 August 2022 suggested (help)
  30. ^ a b "First digital Pilot census completed". First digital Pilot census completed. Associated Press Pakistan. 3 August 2022. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  31. ^ a b c d "Questionnaire – Pakistan Bureau of Statistics". Questionnaire – Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  32. ^ "TABLE 9 - POPULATION BY SEX, RELIGION AND RURAL/URBAN" (PDF). Table 09n.pdf. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. May 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  33. ^ "Sikhs feel neglected in census". Sikhs feel neglected in census - Pakistan - DAWN.COM. Dawn. 21 March 2017. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  34. ^ "Report on Recommendations & Adoption of Best Practices for 7th Population & Housing Census" (PDF). Report_on_Recommendations_&_Adoption_of_Best_Practices_For_7th_Population_&_Housing_Census.pdf. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. 18 May 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  35. ^ "TABLE 11 - POPULATION BY MOTHER TONGUE, SEX AND RURAL/ URBAN" (PDF). Table11n.pdf. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. May 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  36. ^ "TABLE 10 - POPULATION BY NATIONALITY, AGE GROUP, SEX AND RURAL/ URBAN" (PDF). Table10n.pdf. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. May 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
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