Population census begins in Azad Kashmir

The sixth population census in Azad Kashmir was launched on Saturday by registering data of the President Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Sardar Masood Khan and his family. The registration was conducted under the supervision of Census Commissioner Raja Tariq Mehmood, whose organisation will complete census for Azad Kashmir in March-April 2017.
Talking to media, President Masood Khan said, "This is an important moment for Azad Kashmir as the latest census would help identify benchmark data on population size, geographical distribution and demographic characteristics of the population in all the ten districts." He said, "Such data is important for ascertaining living standards for socio-economic development planning, delimiting constituencies and determining share in federal taxes."
Masood Khan thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for taking this timely decision to conduct the census. In this regard he also commended the Population Census Organization for making thorough preparations and imparting the requisite training to the personal who would conduct census.
The President AJK said, "As Azad Kashmir embarks on ambitious plans for social and economic development, we need a data revolution. Collection and collation of population data, and disaggregated information about gender, literacy income, employment and businesses would enable us to plan better and to ensure delivery on the key economic targets."
Masood Khan said, "This census is imperative for sustainable development, including elimination of poverty, universal access to health facilities, education and environmental protection, especially at a time when the AJK territory is being linked up with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)." "It would also enable us to develop better matrices for human development measurable by international standards," he added.
"This is a collaborative effort of the civil and military authorities which would ensure collection of authentic data in an environment of security," the President said while appreciating the leadership being provided by Census Commissioner Raja Tariq Mehmood to this endeavour, which is being supported by the entire administrative machinery of the Azad Government.