Pakistan to hold elections based on 2023 census, PM Sharif Confirms
Pakistan Premier Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed on Tuesday that the upcoming general elections in Pakistan would be held based on the results of the 2023 population census. He emphasized the government's commitment to conducting the polls on schedule, adhering to Pakistan's constitutional provisions.
The Prime Minister's announcement contradicted the statement made by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on July 16, in which he asserted that Pakistan would not recognize the results of the recent census conducted in April. Instead, the government intended to base the upcoming general elections on the population count from 2017.
In May 2023, the initial results of Pakistan's digital census were disclosed, revealing that the country's population had reached 249.5 million. Following the release, several political parties, including the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the Sindh province, objected to the headcount figures in their respective regions. Concerns were also raised about the census results in Balochistan, a province in the country's southwest known for its backwardness.
Amidst these challenges, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's assertion indicates the government's resolve to proceed with elections based on the most recent population census. This move is likely to have significant implications for Pakistan's political landscape, as the country prepares for a crucial democratic exercise in accordance with its constitution.
.png "Advertisement")
