WHILE the federal cabinet may have approved 2017’s national census, the move has resulted in a fresh controversy, as parties with a power base in Karachi protest over the apparent undercounting of the city’s population. Strong criticism has also been levelled at the MQM-P, with opponents of the party calling upon the Muttahida to quit the ruling coalition if it disagrees with the census numbers. The MQM had only written a dissenting note against the cabinet’s endorsement of the census figures. Strangely, the MQM-P has said it will take to the streets to protest the census results, while adding that it will consult “the people” on whether or not to quit the ruling coalition. Meanwhile, the Muttahida’s opponents — particularly the PSP — have been roasting the party for its apparent flip-flops.
While flawed census results have an impact on the division of resources nationwide, undercounting in Karachi is a particularly sensitive issue, considering the step-motherly treatment the metropolis receives from both the federal and Sindh governments. With the infrastructure in a shambles, no civilised public transport system to speak of and not enough water to meet the needs of its large population, incorrect figures will indeed add to Karachi’s already numerous woes. The MQM-P has pointed out that it is strange that 25m CNICs have been issued from Karachi, though the Sindh capital’s official population is only 16m. The federal government must take these concerns seriously as such flawed data cannot be used as a base for future planning. While the mechanics of the census need to be fixed in the long term, perhaps an audit of 5pc of the 2017 census blocks — as demanded by the PPP — could help alleviate concerns around the exercise. The fact is that an exercise as crucial as the census should be transparent and free of accusations of regional or ethnic bias. The population numbers have far-reaching results, and any fuzzy maths is bound to result in cries of foul play. Along with allocations for the NFC Award, the delimitation of constituencies as well as seats in parliament are all dependent on population figures, so accusations of an improper count cannot be simply brushed aside. Instead of playing politics, all parties, especially those in the ruling coalition at the centre, must come up with a consensus over how to move forward on the issue so that misgivings about the census can be allayed.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1598270/karachi-census-debate
Karachi census debate: Editorial in Dawn, December 28th, 2020
WHILE the federal cabinet may have approved 2017’s national census, the move has resulted in a fresh controversy, as parties with a power base in Karachi protest over the apparent undercounting of the city’s population. Strong criticism has also been levelled at the MQM-P, with opponents of the party calling upon the Muttahida to quit the ruling coalition if it disagrees with the census numbers. The MQM had only written a dissenting note against the cabinet’s endorsement of the census figures. Strangely, the MQM-P has said it will take to the streets to protest the census results, while adding that it will consult “the people” on whether or not to quit the ruling coalition. Meanwhile, the Muttahida’s opponents — particularly the PSP — have been roasting the party for its apparent flip-flops.
While flawed census results have an impact on the division of resources nationwide, undercounting in Karachi is a particularly sensitive issue, considering the step-motherly treatment the metropolis receives from both the federal and Sindh governments. With the infrastructure in a shambles, no civilised public transport system to speak of and not enough water to meet the needs of its large population, incorrect figures will indeed add to Karachi’s already numerous woes. The MQM-P has pointed out that it is strange that 25m CNICs have been issued from Karachi, though the Sindh capital’s official population is only 16m. The federal government must take these concerns seriously as such flawed data cannot be used as a base for future planning. While the mechanics of the census need to be fixed in the long term, perhaps an audit of 5pc of the 2017 census blocks — as demanded by the PPP — could help alleviate concerns around the exercise. The fact is that an exercise as crucial as the census should be transparent and free of accusations of regional or ethnic bias. The population numbers have far-reaching results, and any fuzzy maths is bound to result in cries of foul play. Along with allocations for the NFC Award, the delimitation of constituencies as well as seats in parliament are all dependent on population figures, so accusations of an improper count cannot be simply brushed aside. Instead of playing politics, all parties, especially those in the ruling coalition at the centre, must come up with a consensus over how to move forward on the issue so that misgivings about the census can be allayed.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1598270/karachi-census-debate
Published in Pak Media comment and Pakistan