ISLAMABAD, November 18: Supreme Court (SC) has rejected the conditional date given by government for holding population census in 2017.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Anwar Zaheer Jamali has remarked ” what is the need of this institution if we can not provide justice. If our decisions have not to be implemented then SC be closed down.
CJP gave these remarks while presiding over a 3-memebr bench of SC during the course of hearing of suo motu notice case of delay in population census here Friday.
The Attorney General (AG) took the plea before the court the census
could not take place due to non availability of army. However census could be held in the month of March and April in next year, he added. Justice Amir Hani Muslim remarked ” Holding census is a constitutional requirement. No condition can be imposed on it. No statistics of population are even known. Assurance like this is not acceptable for holding census.
The CJP remarked ” the writing given by government is mere an eye wash. Give us a clear, categorical and one date. Non holding census is failure of the sitting and previous governments. If population census is held then the number of assemblies seats will have to be increased. Don’t befool people and don’t waste public wealth. Say this that government is unable to hold census. Statistical bureau should be closed down if census has not to be got held. As to why action be not taken against the persons found responsible for delaying population census. Where it is written that army is needed for conducting population census. If army has to do all the jobs then what is need of other institutions. AG said army is also institution of the state. We are ready to hold population census in March or April. The court while seeking unambiguous and clear written reply from government adjourned the hearing of the case till December, 1.-Online
