Centenary of Population Census (September 16, 1972)

The format of the stamp is horizontal. A graph is shown by means of thin dotted lines in green against a pink background. Silhouetted human forms in red and ultramarine colours ate shown in different places to represent adults and children. Also some squares in White, Red, Green, Ultramarine and Black colours are shown in different positions to depict certain statistical features of the Census.
The wording “Population Census 72” in Green colour appears at the top. The de-nomination figure ‘20’ with ‘Paisa’ under-neath appears in the top right hand corner in black. The word ‘Postage’ lies on the left hand side of the stamp vertically, also in black The word ‘Pakistan’ in English, Bangla and Urdu appear in reverse in the green panel at the bottom of the stamp.
Pakistan Post Office is issuing a stamp of 20 Paisa denomination to commemorate the Centenary of Popula-tion Census of Pakistan on 16th September, 1972.
The first Census of Population in Pakistan (then part of British India) was taken in 1872. The next Census in the sub-continent was taken in 1881. And then on, population census was taken every 10 years in the first year of each decade. The first and the second censuses of population census in Pakistan after Independence were conducted in the years 1951 and 1961 respectively. The third decennial population census of Pakistan was due in 1971. But due to political situation in the Country the census was postponed till 1972. This, however, coincides with the completion of hundred years of regular decennial census taking in Pakistan and thus marks the centenary of census taking in Pakistan. Enumeration of population in current census of Pakistan commences from the 16th September 1972.
The word ‘census’ is of Roman ori-gin and is derived from ‘censors’ i.e. the magistrates in ancient Rome who used to prepare a register of population for the purpose of taxation and cons-cription to the military service. The objectives of ancient census being un-popular with the people, it was almost given up in the medieval ages but as the need for reliable data on population was felt by the modern welfare states, census in modern sense of the term was started to be taken from the 18th cen-tury. For example, the first popula-tion census in the U.S.A. was conduct-ed in 1790, in the U.K. and France in 1801, in Sweden and Finland in 1749, in Denmark and Norway in 1769, in Ice-land in 1703 etc.
The purpose of census is to collect general statistical information regarding population, its characteristics, its homes and environments. Replies are required from individuals only to enable comple-tion of such general statistics. No per-sons can be harmed in any way by providing information required in the census, which is treated as confidential as far as individuals are concerned.
Uses of census data are numerous and varied. Census data provides the basis for delimitation of constituencies for election to the National and Provin-cial Assemblies and to the various tiers of Local Bodies. Census figures help measures progress in meeting major national goals, such as provision of lobs, housing, education, health facili-ties, etc. to every citizen of the country. It also permits Provincial Governments, Municipal Authorities and other Local Bodies to meet the requirements of their citizens in respect of sewage, water, lighting, transportation health, welfare and other services.
Thus census is not a mere counting of heads. It collects information on several demographic, social, cultural and economic characteristics of every individual. It also collects information on the condition of housing units where the person or a group of persons live. These data after collection are processed and presented in the form ‘of meaningful tables for use by all concerned.. In the past census data were mainly pro-cessed manually. In the current census electronic computers will be used for processing the data. This will enhance the accuracy of the census results and will provide the results in the shortest possible time. The taking of population census is one of the largest administrative opera-tions of the country. About 200,000 honorary workers were trained and engaged on census duties in the past two census of Pakistan. It is an opera-tion in which Central and the Provincial Governments, Municipal Authorities, other Local Bodies and the people are required to function in closest cooperation on voluntary basis. The success of the population census depends on th willing cooperation of all the people in the country.
The objective of issuing this postage stamp in commemoration of Census Centenary in Pakistan is to create awareness in the people so as to elicit necessary interest and cooperation from them without which such a national undertaking is not possible.