1st Sensitization Workshop (Dec 24, 2021 at Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad) 

Press Release

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics hosts 1st sensitization workshop on 7th Population and housing Census 2022“First Ever Digital” Census of Pakistan at Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad Dec 24, 2021 the series of sensitization workshops on 7th Population and Housing – digital census began today. Hosted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the one day workshop featured the sensitization of the academia, researchers, policy makers as well as the public, since it symbolizes the beginning of a critical synergetic relationship that will exist between the PBS and the stake holders throughout the gigantic national activity. The event covered Keynote speeches, Presentation on 7th Population and Housing Census 2022 First ever Digital census, discussion session between the stakeholders and PBS. Vice Chancellor AIOU Prof Dr.Zia-ul-Qayyum in his inaugural speech congratulated Govt. of Pakistan and PBS on taking the initiative of Digital Census. He appreciated that geo tagging and electronic data collection will increase the reliability & transparency of the process. He offered all kind of support for this National cause. Focal person on Digital Census, Mr. Muhammad Sarwar Gondal, in his presentation emphasized that the involvement of stakeholders from start to end will be priority of PBS for wide acceptability of census results. It will clear their concepts regarding census process and will be a start of their involvement and ownership in census process. He further sensitized about recommendations of Census Advisory Committee for conduct of the 7th Population Housing Census. Moreover, he included that PBS is conducting Census after five years interval, as per decision of CCI, for the first time, with the use of latest tools and technologies for improved quality of data. Geo-tagging and tablet based, Self-enumeration system will build trust of our stakeholders. All efforts are made to address the issues identified in Population & Housing Census 2017.Further the questionnaire has been drafted by the technical committee to address the objectives of census. During Q/A session, all the queries of the participants were addressed related to Census 2022 digitization process.
Chief Statistician, Dr. Naeem uz Zafar, in his closing remarks appreciated the efforts of PBS team, working day and night for this National cause and hoped that they will work with same dedication to accomplish this task. Sensitization workshops is an effort of PBS to bring awareness about the census process among the masses and to avoid the trust deficit by engaging academia/universities, researchers, demographers, data users, NGOs and other Stakeholders and such workshops will also be held at Provincial Level.