Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Wednesday apprised Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif of their reservations over digital census being held across the country.
According to a statement issued by PM’s office, a delegation of MQM-P comprising convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Minister for IT Syed Amin ul Haque called on the prime minister. Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was also present during the meeting.
The delegation congratulated the prime minister on the approval of Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Bill by the National Assembly.
The MQM-P apprised PM Shehbaz of reservations over digital census and issues of Karachi.
PM Shehbaz Sharif directed for resolution of the issues raised by MQM-P, and removal of their apprehensions regarding the ongoing consensus.
Earlier in March, the MQM-P objected to the time allotted for carrying out the census while calling for extending the time specified for self-enumeration, house enumeration and census.
The party penned down a letter to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) regarding the issue. According to the letter sent by chief statistician of the PBS, the March 3 deadline for self-enumeration should be extended by at least 10 days since.
It cited the lack of access to smartphones for citizens of Karachi and Hyderabad, lack of knowledge of the application, and problems with internet connectivity as the reason for seeking extension.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the parliament had the power to legislate for improvement of administrative affairs.
He said the constitution of Pakistan was the guarantor of maintaining a balance between all the institutions.
Talking to an 18-member delegation of women parliamentarians belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which called on him here, the prime minster appreciated their active role in the parliament.
“Women comprise 51 percent of country’s total population, therefore the participation of women in the legislation process is very important,” he said adding that the government was working for women’s inclusion in every sector.
He said during his tenure, the government had taken several steps to empower women that also include the legislation about women rights.
