KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday hinted at rejecting the digital census results if the reservations of the province are not addressed by the federal government.
In a letter to Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, CM Shah highlighted Sindh’s reservations on the digital census, stating that high population rates were recorded in talukas and tehsils.
The Sindh government has reservations about freezing the population count of tehsils and villages, and CM Shah has expressed frustration that Sindh’s concerns are not being heard by the federal government.
The chief minister warned that Sindh would not accept the census results if its reservations were not addressed.
Pakistan’s digital census process faces delays
The digital census process has faced numerous delays, with the federal government extending it for the fifth time. It is now set to conclude on May 15, after missing the initial deadline of early April. The government has invited stakeholders to brief them on the census, after some political parties raised objections.
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal acknowledged that there are concerns over the census, including that people from far-flung areas were not counted, and houses in some areas were being spotted through Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).
The latest extension was made to reach the remaining people who have not been counted.
Iqbal urged all nationals to actively take part in the census and stated that the government would work to address any faults in the process.
CM Shah’s letter and threats of rejection cast doubt on the credibility of the digital census, and it remains to be seen how the federal government will address Sindh’s reservations.
