The Census of 2017 a Ray of Hope for Pakistani Minorities
The minority groups expect from the present government to publish their true statistics of the census conducted in 2017. And on the basis of that statistics increase minorities representation in Parliament, allocate equivalent resources and increase employment quota in all areas of development. The employment quota should not only be administered for menial positions but for all positions.
A Census is the procedure of systematically acquiring
and recording information about the members of a given population. Census
is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. In
Pakistan five Censuses have been conducted since 1951 to 1998 and this is the 6th
Census being conducted in 2017 from March 15 to May 25, 2017. The first census
was conducted in 1951, the second in 1961 and the third one was conducted in
1972 due to the political environment in the country and war with India. The
fourth census was conducted in 1981, the fifth in 1998 and now the sixth is
being conducted in 2017 after 19 years.
The population and housing census is
important because it ensures an equal distribution of economic resources among
people, to form right constituencies on provincial and national assembly level,
to analyze resources besides counting people, to know people’s present standard
of living and education, for provision of employment quota at provincial and
federal level, to know the status of minorities, marginalized communities
including transgender, disabled, women and children. Moreover, the seats in the
National Assembly are allocated to each province/FATA and Federal Territory on
the basis of the population in accordance with the census, for example the
present seats in the National Assembly are allocated in accordance with the
last preceding census officially published under Article 51 (3) of the
constitution.
According to the last (5th) Census
(1998) the minorities constitute 3.73% of the total population of Pakistan and the
majority (Muslims) constitutes 96.28%. The 3.73% represents Christians’ as
1.59%, Hindus as 1.60%, Qadiani (Ahmadi) as 0.22%, scheduled castes 0.25% and
others as 0.07%. The figures indicates Hindus as the second largest community
in Pakistan and the Christians the third largest community. Before the 5th
Census Christians were the 2nd largest community in Pakistan but they
have fallen to the third level because of incorrect registration or not
registering themselves seriously. The largest number of Christians reside in Federal
Capital Islamabad (4.07%) followed by Punjab (2.31%), Sindh (0.97%),
Balochistan (0.4%) and KPK (0.21%).[1]
However, according to Albert David, a Christian Politician the Church estimates
population of Christians as 13% of the total population.[2]
Hindus are counted as the 2nd largest nation in Pakistan and so they
get more resources. It should be noticed that the number of Christians, Hindus
or other religions is directly related to the rights they fight. We can say
that right statistics of a religious or minority group will lead it to gain its
social, religious, political or economic rights in a country.
The census figures carry important implications for the
allocation of resources for the minority groups in a country. We can say census is an opportunity for the minority groups
to have the same rights the majority group is enjoying. So, to get equal
rights, it is important for individuals to correctly register themselves in census
because their true figure is directly related to the seats they get in the
parliament. Currently there are ten reserved seats for minorities in the
National Legislature Assembly and proportionate minority seats in the
provincial assemblies. Since then, ten selected minority members belonging to
majority political parties share their political representation. In 2008, the National
Assembly seats were raised up to 342 whereas the number of minorities’ seats
was never revised or increased. Asia Nasir, JUI-F nominated Christian Member of
the National Assembly, tried time and again to get the minorities seats
increased but could not succeed. Recently, her effort was turned down by the
standing committee with the plea that minorities’ seats increasing bill could
be moved after the national census in 2017. Asia Nasir has presented two bills
after 2008, the first bill was to amend constitution article 51 to revise seats
in the National Assembly which was after a two years struggle was referred to
the Law Ministry by the Speaker. She also wanted to make increase in the
provincial seats simultaneously, and the standing committee directed her to
move another bill for Provinces which she moved to amend article 106 of the
constitution, but this time, surprisingly, the committee rejected the minority
seats increasing bill in the National as well as Provincial Assemblies on the
grounds that the bill could only be considered after census, but she argued
that since the majority seats were increased without census in 2008 that
justifies her plea to increase minorities seats.
The
minority groups expect from the present government to publish their true figures
of census conducted in 2017. And support minorities to come out of their severe
poverty zone by increasing quota in the government jobs. The hiring should not
only be done for the menial jobs such sweeping but also for the higher official
positions. This action will alleviate poverty as well as prevent conflict.
Therefore, to avail greater opportunities
and uplift minorities status in the country, the minorities must enroll themselves
correctly. They need to ensure their names are spelled and recorded correctly. The
government should also play an important role to duly inform people about the indispensable importance
of a census in national life. According to an estimate, this census will cost
Rs 18 billion. It is not just about statistics, the political status quo stands
to be challenged; rather the census will have a profound impact on the
distribution of federal resources and the allocation of legislative power in
the National Assembly. It will give insights into urbanization trends and can
be very effectively used for devising law enforcement strategies, security
infrastructure and better local governments. All political parties should be
prepared to let go and work with new ground realities. The provincial
governments should participate in ensuring a credible consensus. They are now
stakeholders. Blame game should be avoided at all costs. This census should be
transparent and its data should be released immediately and be available to
research communities to shun doubts and confusions.[4]
[1] Pakistan Bureau of Statistics: http://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//tables/POPULATION%20BY%20RELIGION.pdf
[3] Daily Times: Minorities census — importance and significance, by
Kaleem Dean (http://dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/26-Jan-17/minorities-census-importance-and-significance
[4] The Nation Newspaper:
The Importance of Census, by Hammad Ahmed, http://nation.com.pk/columns/02-Apr-2017/the-importance-of-census
