THIS refers to the article `With or without a headcount` by Muddasssir Rizvi (Feb 23).

The writer has raised an alarm: a real possibility of a long delay in holding population census.

This in turn raises fears that even 2018 generalelections could be held on the basis of delimitations worked out according to the 1998 population census. It will result in depriving certain regions of their legitimate share in national and provincial assembly seats, NFC allocations, federal jobs, etc.

The writer has given estimates of increasein the population since thelast census in 1998 as 40.9pc in Punjab, 71.7pc in Islamabad Capital Territory, 48.7pc in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 56.1pc in Sindh, 54.2pc in Balochistan, making it 42.9pc overall. He has also given an estimate of resulting changes in the share of National Assembly seats of various provinces.

In the absence of an authentic population census, these figures are purely speculative.

Surprisingly, he has not dealt at length with the reallocation of provincial assembly seats and state resources as between different regions within particular provinces, except mentioning it in passing.

The population census and delimitations done on this basis could solve the problem of urban Sindh by giving its representatives the power to play a vital role in managing their cities, instead of remaining a powerless minority.

Also, with the population of present-day Pakistan having grown over six-fold since the country`s inception, the capability and dedication of the politicians have not increased in the same proportion rather, it has decreased by leaps and bounds. This fact alone justifies the creation of more provinces.

In fact, during its last tenure, the Punjab Assembly did pass two resolutions for the creation of South Punjab and Bahawalpur provinces, but reneged.

S.R.H. Hashmi Karachi