KARACHI, MAR 15, (DNA) – The first phase of sixth national housing and population census begins across the country today (Wednesday) after 19 years that will continue till 15th of next month.

In the first phase, the census will be conducted in sixteen districts of Punjab, eight districts of Sindh, fourteen districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, fifteen districts of Balochistan, five districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, five districts of Gilgit Baltistan and one agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

The first phase would continue till April 15 in 63 districts across the country and one agency of FATA. The second phase will start from April 25 to May 25.

Housing census would be continued for three days while from March 18, population census will get start.

In Punjab, provincial Chief Statistician Arif Anwar has officially inaugurated the census by writing 001 on Punjab Assembly’s building. Deputy Speaker Sher Ali Gorchani was also present on the occasion.

The districts to be covered in Punjab during the first phase of census include Jhang, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Lahore, Hafizabad, Narowal, Sialkot, Vehari, Bahawalpur, Pakpattan and Attock.

In Sindh, the census would be conducted in districts of Karachi West, Karachi South, Karachi East Korengi, Karachi Central, Malir, Hyderabad and Ghotki.