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       Displacement issue may delay census

By Zulfiqar Ali 

Massive displacement and military operation in the troubled region have jeopardised the first phase of the census process.—AP

PESHAWAR: The future of the first phase of general census hangs in balance due to massive displacement and military operation in parts of the troubled Malakand region and tension in the tribal region, sources said.

The Population Census Organisation has planned to launch the first phase of the campaign, which is house listing across the country, from May 15 that will be completed by May 30.

The sources told Dawn here on Wednesday that large-scale displacement from Swat, Buner and Malakand districts and the ongoing military operation in certain parts had jeopardised the first phase of the census process.They said Buner, Swat, parts of Lower Dir, Malakand and Shangla districts were under curfew and thousands of families had vacated their houses and gone to other areas due to the operation. 

In the tribal area, they said, tension prevailed in Bajaur and Mohmand regions and displaced people had yet to go back to their homes. They said the military operation had also disturbed Kohistan and Chitral districts, because main roads to these areas had been blocked.‘In the current situation it looks very difficult and unrealistic to conduct house listing in these areas,’ said an official.

Census organisation public relations officer Mohammad Anwar Shah, when approached, said the matter was under consideration and a final decision would be taken in the next few days.The sources said the census organisation had completed preparations for the first phase and more than 7,000 enumerators and circle supervisors had been trained, who would conduct enumeration in the NWFP and Fata.

Dawn: Thursday, 14 May, 2009