[Pak-Media] urgent - press release for seminar on Census Pakistan 2011 on 10 Feb

Dear Media Colleagues,

 

I regret for the delayed submission of the attached press release of census seminar chaired by the Honorable Prime Minister today at the Serena Hotel.

 

I would like to convey our deep gratitude and sincere appreciation for to those who attended the census seminar. It would be highly appreciated if you could kindly cover the story in your respective paper/news channel.

 

Kind regards

Muhammad Ajmal

UNFPA

Cell: 03005001724

 

Census 2011 to make a positive impact on policies and programmes
to improve peoples' lives

 

Islamabad, 10 February 2011: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is actively supporting the Government of Pakistan in the implementation of the 2011 Census through financial and technical assistance aiming at building effective in-country capacity to produce high-quality and policy-relevant data needed for reporting into all the major development frameworks. A high-level inaugural seminar was organized on 10 February 2011 by the Statistics Division in collaboration with the UNFPA to mark the launch of the 2011 Census of Pakistan.

 

On this special occasion of the Census Inaugural Seminar, Mr. Timo Pakkala, the United Nations Resident Coordinator congratulated the Government of Pakistan for its decision to conduct the 6^th Census of Population and Housing in 2011. The outcome of the 6^th Population Census would serve as a critical reference point for national planning, and to ensure efficient and equitable distribution of government resources. "The data collected will also be crucial for measuring progress towards the achievement of national development targets, including the MDGs. Undoubtedly, reliable, disaggregated data is so crucial to progress. Reliable data can make a difference, and the key is to collect, analyze and disseminate data in a way that drives good policy making", said Mr. Pakkala.

 

Honorable Federal Minister of Finance, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh reiterated that the Population and Housing Census is an important national activity undertaken once in a decade. The successful implementation of census plan is only possible with close coordination and active support of the Federal Government Ministries/Departments as well as the provincial and district authorities. People should also participate in the census and other data collection efforts as data collected will help to improve their own lives.

 

Mr. Asif Bajwa, Federal Secretary of Statistics Division highlighted the various aspects of operational preparations for the forthcoming Census including some key challenges such as security and flood crisis etc., facing the Census. As a result of the 18^th Amendment in the Constitution, many population and health programmes to be devolved to the provinces posing new challenges and opportunities. The 2011 Census will produce results shedding new light on the socioeconomic, demographic and spatial characteristics of the population at national, provincial, regional and district levels. This will help the Government in planning, designing and implementation of development projects. "The Government is fully committed to mobilize its resources and counts on partners' support. UNFPA's lead role in highlighting the importance of timely census and providing technical and financial resources for the Census has been commendable", said Mr. Asif Bajwa, Secretary of Statistics Division.

 

Honorable Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan impelled the importance of Population and Housing data in nation-building. He emphasized the need to share the accurate census information amongst the people living from the smallest village to the largest city for national economic development. "People must be aware of the utility of the census, especially in rural areas so that they can appreciate their role in national development. The Government of Pakistan has ensured gender equality in all walks of life to allow women to play their role in the socio-economic development of the society, said the Prime Minister. "He further called upon the Population Census Organization to furnish detailed and credible data on women during the current census round. All government ministries & departments and other stakeholders must extend their full support and cooperation in this important endeavor", reiterated the Prime Minister. Later, the Prime Minister launched the official logo of the 2011 Population and Housing Census of Pakistan.

 

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The United Nations Population Fund is an international development agency that promotes the rights of every women, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and women is treated with dignity and respect.

 

For more information:

 

Islamabad: Muhammad Ajmal, UNFPA, ajmal@unfpa.org, mobile 0300-5001724

Mr. Muhammad Akram Janjua, Population Census Organization, majanjua54@yahoo.com, mobile 0333-5152560

 

 

 

 

media advisory
 
 
Dear Media Colleagues,
 
You are cordially invited to the following:
 
What:              Seminar on the "Importance of Population Census 2011 and Pakistan's Development"
When:             10 February 2011 from 0900 hours to 1200 hours
Where:           Serena Hotel (Sheesh Mahal, Hall), Islamabad
 

Key Speakers/Participants:  Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, United Nations Resident Coordinator, High level federal and provincial government officials, researchers, demographers, development partners are expected to address the seminar.
 
Objectives of Seminar: The objective of the seminar is to highlight the importance of  the 2011 Population and Housing Census, especially  why data collection, data analysis, data dissemination and  a deep understanding of reliable, disaggregated data is so crucial to human development. The seminar has special relevance to Pakistan since about 60 other countries around the world have been busy in collecting data and counting people in their census rounds.
 
It would be highly appreciated if you could kindly participate and provide the necessary media coverage during this important initiative.
 
Best regards,
Muhammad Ajmal
 
 
 

UNFPA - because everyone counts.

Mr. Muhammad Ajmal United Nations Population Fund O: 92-51-8355742; Cell 0300-5001724 F: 92-51-8355966 http://www.unfpa.org.pk

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

 

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