Pakistan to hold first-ever digital census in 2023

In 76 years of independence from the British regime, Pakistan never witnessed a digital census, even though many developing and underdeveloped countries consider the medium potent enough to conduct the census. However, Pakistan will take another step toward strengthening its digital facet by hosting the first-ever digital census.

Pakistan’s 2023 census will be a 40-point questionnaire covering eight crucial areas. Since all the preparations are down and dusted, the relevant authorities are rolling over to perform the task. The indigenous efforts will be carried through devised systems and the tools created by Pakistan’s local experts.

According to Chief Statistician Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) Dr Naeem Uz Zafar, who was conducting a seminar at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics Islamabad, “census is an important national activity that is linked with resource allocation to provinces, representation in National/Provincial assemblies, and the delimitation process. Therefore, the credibility of the census is of utmost importance.”

The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics is set to conduct the country’s first-ever digital census in March 2023. The census will collect data from 185,000 blocks and will not require Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) for verification purposes. The 40-point questionnaire will include information on households, basic amenities, demography, education, health, employment, disability, and migration.

Chief Statistician of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Dr. Naeem Uz Zafar, has said that all preparations for the census are complete and that the effort is entirely indigenous, with systems and tools being developed by Pakistani experts. The census is being conducted in accordance with international best practices and with the latest technology.

The census is being conducted simultaneously and in the shortest possible time, with the goal of counting the entire population residing in Pakistan at the time of the census, regardless of whether they hold a CNIC or not. The census is intended to be used for policy and planning, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the process.

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