House listing phase launched in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

House listing phase of the National Census 2011 was Tuesday launched in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Senior Minister Rahimdad Khan formally inaugurated the house listing phase on behalf of the Chief Minister, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti in a simple but impressive ceremony here at Chief Minister's House. The phase of the house counting will continue for a period of 15 days (April 5 to 19).
Those present on the occasion were included Provincial Census Commissioner, Fazal Rabi, Joint Census Commissioner (Geography), Mohammad Bashir Janjua, Joint Census Commissioner (Technical) Mohammad Iqbal, Assistant Census Commissioner, Ikramullah and Statistical Commissioner, Nasruminullah.
The officials' Census commission gave a comprehensive briefing to senior minister on arrangements made for house counting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata. Addressing the ceremony, the senior minister Rahimdad Khan expressed satisfaction over arrangements for house listing and directed provincial, division and district authorities for provision of all available facilities and co-operation in successful completion of the house counting phase to fulfil the national requirement in an organised and effective manner.
He said that house and population counting is very important for national progress and development and provision of basic amenities to the people. He said that census provide help in provision of statistics for utilisation of resources and future planning. He urged the people to extend full support to the employees of the census department during the national census.
During the briefing the officials informed the senior minister about the historic background of the census, saying since the inception of Pakistan five national censuses have been conducted till 1998, which were held in 1951, 1961, 1972, 1981 and 1998 respectively. However, the Census 2008 was postponed due to security concerns.
He was told that 10192 employees are participating in the activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 1808 persons in Fata. The supervising staff is comprised charge superintendents, circle supervisors and statistical officials. The field staff has been acquired from the departments of education and revenue had also been provided the required skill and training.
The senior minister was informed that that the population census like other parts of the country will start in August/September of the current calendar year. For conducting effective and organised house counting coordination committees have been constituted at provincial, divisional and district levels.
The provincial coordination headed by the Chief Secretary had held its first meeting on March 24, 2011 in which besides assigning responsibilities at different levels finalise all matters relating to the house counting. Other members of the committee were Additional Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) administration secretaries of the departments of establishment, administration, local bodies and education, PPO, Director Military Land and Cantonment, D.C.O and Provincial Census Commissioner. Similarly, divisional and district coordination committees were constituted under the chairmanships of divisional commissioners and DCOs with divisional and district officials as members.