Glitches and Faulty Management: Threats to Successful Completion of Pakistan’s Census

Desk

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EDITORIAL:

As Pakistan’s seventh population census continues, it is facing several hurdles that are impeding the headcount. Foremost among these issues is ensuring the safety of the police officers deployed to guard the enumerators. Two policemen were martyred in separate attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday while on census duties. These incidents occurred in the Tank area and Lakki Marwat, both of which have seen TTP activity in the past, and the attacks are reminiscent of deadly terrorist ambushes targeting polio teams.

Apart from security concerns, there are trust issues, particularly in urban areas, where reports have emerged of people refusing to cooperate with census teams. It is vital to ensure that people trust the enumerators and are willing to provide accurate information for the headcount to be successful. The government needs to address the concerns of people and assure them of the safety and confidentiality of their personal data.

Enumerators in several areas, particularly in Sindh, have also complained of not receiving funds for fuel and daily allowances. This situation is unacceptable as enumerators are on the front line of conducting the census and must be provided with the necessary resources to perform their duties effectively. The Sindh chief minister has also expressed his concerns and warned that his administration may boycott the headcount if their concerns are not addressed.

The count in several parts of Balochistan has also not started due to technical issues. This is a worrying development, and it is essential that the authorities quickly address any technical problems to ensure that the census is conducted effectively in all parts of the country.

The population census is a vital exercise that provides essential data for the country’s policymakers to make informed decisions about resource allocation, development planning, and addressing demographic challenges. A successful headcount requires the government to provide a safe and secure environment for the enumerators, address trust issues, and ensure that enumerators have the necessary resources to conduct the census effectively.

Census takers must be provided with adequate resources to perform their duties effectively. The government must ensure that enumerators are provided with fuel and daily allowances promptly to prevent any delays in conducting the census. The government must also ensure that enumerators are adequately trained to conduct the headcount effectively and accurately.

To ensure that the census is conducted effectively in all parts of the country, the government must address any technical issues promptly. The government must ensure that all equipment is functioning correctly and that there are no delays in the delivery of equipment to the enumerators.

As the seventh population census trudges on, it seems to have hit a few snags, to say the least. Amidst the chaos and confusion, the most pressing issue appears to be the safety and security of the police officers tasked with guarding the enumerators. In a tragic turn of events, two policemen lost their lives while performing their census duties in separate attacks in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on Monday. One incident occurred in the Tank area, while the other in Lakki Marwat, both hotspots for Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) activity in the past. The attacks are reminiscent of deadly terrorist ambushes targeting polio teams in the same regions.

Apart from the security concerns, trust issues have also surfaced, particularly in urban areas, where reports suggest that people are refusing to cooperate with census teams. In addition, enumerators in several areas, particularly in Sindh, have reported not receiving funds for fuel and daily allowances. The chief minister of Sindh has also threatened to boycott the headcount if their concerns are not addressed. The count in several parts of Balochistan has also yet to begin due to “technical issues.”

It’s high time that the federal government addresses these issues with urgency before they lead to yet another controversy that could taint the census’s accuracy. After all, billions of rupees have been allocated to this exercise during these financially tumultuous times. Tens of thousands of enumerators and security personnel have been dispatched to perform this critical exercise. Let’s not waste these funds and man-hours due to glitches and faulty management.

The government’s top priority should be to provide a safe environment for both the enumerators and security personnel to allow them to carry out their tasks without fear. They should focus on areas known for militant activity, requiring extra layers of security and intelligence-based operations to clear these regions for the teams.

Secondly, the government must lead public awareness drives through the media to encourage people to work with the teams. There is a considerable trust deficit between the state and the people, and it is the government’s responsibility to convince citizens that their data will remain safe and be used for the country’s benefit.

Furthermore, glitches with equipment and software, as well as bottlenecks related to the release of funds to teams, must be promptly addressed. The PML-N should also take the concerns of its PPP coalition partner in Sindh over census transparency seriously.

It’s high time for the government to step up and take responsibility for the success of the census. With the future of the country’s policies and planning on the line, it’s crucial to ensure that the census is conducted transparently and accurately.

In conclusion, the seventh population census is a critical exercise for Pakistan’s future. The government must take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the enumerators and security personnel, address the public’s concerns, and remove any obstacles that could hinder the census’s accuracy. After all, this is a crucial exercise that will shape the country’s future for years to come.