Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has said that holding national census in a peaceful environment and announcement of initial results is a good omen. She expressed these views while addressing a meeting held to review the results of sixth census 2017 here on Thursday.
Punjab Planning and Development Minister Nadeem Kamran, Secretary P&D Iftikhar Ali Sahu, Secretary Local Government Aslam Kamboh, Special Secretary Finance Saif Ullah Dogar, Chief Economist P&D Department Dr. Aman Ullah, Senior Economist Dr. Ali Cheema and Director Punjab Economic Research Institute Dr. Mumtaz Chaudhary were also present on the occasion.
"The present government, all concerned civil and military institutions deserve appreciation. At a time when the country was facing internal and external challenges, starting of a sensitive process like census was a difficult phase which was made possible by all stakeholders efficiently," she added.
On the occasion, the Secretary P&D informed the meeting that the Punjab Chief Minister has constituted a committee, headed by the Finance Minister, for reviewing the initial results of National Population Census 2017 and preparation of recommendations. Members of the committee include Minister for Planning and Local Government, Chairman and secretaries of concerned departments, non-government members of National Finance Commission, he added. "The committee will present its recommendations in five days after technical analysis of facts and figures of National Statistics Institution," he added.
The Secretary Local Government explained the rural and urban limits in the report of statistical department. He told the meeting that a false impression is given in the recent report of census that ratio of increase of population in Punjab is maximum; the ratio of increase in population has reduced this year as compared to census of 1981 and 1998 while an increase has been observed in KPK and Balochistan. Dr Mumtaz Chaudhary informed the meeting about expected affects on National Finance Commission Award, job quota and other services in the light of initial results of national census 2017.
Dr. Ayesha said that several points, including distribution of rural and urban population and status in the population of refuges, can only be discussed after detailed results and it will be premature to give any opinion in this regard. She directed the Secretary Local Government and Director National Statistics Department and Director Punjab Economic Research Institute to come to next meeting after complete analysis report and suggestions.