IHC moved against not holding of population census

Islamabad
Justice Athar Minallah of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) here Monday issued notices to the ministry of finance economic affairs & statistic division, secretary statistic division, election commission of Pakistan and chairman council of common interest in a petition seeking population census in the country.
IHC bench observed that it would issue proper order in this regard after hearing the relevant authorities. IHC directed respondents to submit reply within fortnight.
A petitioner Iftikhar Hussain has contended before the court that the population census is a constitutional obligation that the federal government is not fulfilling.
The petitioner through his counsel, Yasir Mahmood Chaudhry advocate adopted before the court that holding no census is violation of article 8 and 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan and Population Census Ordinance 1959 and further it will lead to the failure of democracy.
The petitioner contended before the IHC that population census is a decennial activity that provides comprehensive picture of social and living conditions of the people in the country. Finally, the population census was undertaken in 1998 with support of armed forces and its results were broadly accepted/ appreciated by all national and international experts.
The petitioner contented that the population census due in 2008, was not conducted due to failure of the respondents. The petitioner further stated that as per 1973 Constitution population census comes under the ambit of Federal Legislative List.
He stated by not holding the population census since 1998, the Federation as well as the public at large are not aware the actual population of the country. Due to this failure, the resources and wealth are being distributed unjustly and unequally, which leads to the environment of distrust among the people of the country. Countries around the world on the basis of population census, plan and manage the distribution of resources among their citizens. The petitioner contended that without holding population census, the new delimitations, distribution of seats in national & provincial assemblies and new elections are not possible.
However, the respondents institutions never moved any summary to the prime minister to issue the directives for holding of population census in the country.
The petitioner has prayed to the court to direct the respondents to carry and complete the population census of the whole country in the best interest of justice.