KARACHI: Former Finance Minister and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz leader Miftah Ismail expressed reservations about recent digital census and demanded to count country’s population again. Miftah Ismail made statement while addressing conference organised by Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan here to develop consensus against recent digital census.

He raised questions about findings of 3 percent growth in census. He added that 9 million children are born across country every year. He also criticised difference in population growth rate in Karachi and other parts of country.

He said that statistics of digital census are inaccurate and counting of country’s population should be conducted across Pakistan again. “Tablet devices have already been purchased by government. Another census would cost from Rs 17 to Rs 18 billion to national exchequer. If government makes expenses, it would not be an issue as it is being spent in country.” Ismail said that economic and political situation will not be improved until nexus of country’s elites is broken. Few days ago, Ismail held incumbent government responsible for delay in deal with International Monetary Fund.

Talking to journalists in London, he said that delay caused by incumbent government has severely impacted IMF deal, warning that country still faces default risk.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 24 2023

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