In Pakistan, official census was first conducted in 1951 and then in 1961, 1972, 1981, and finally in 1998. For proper planning, administrative and developmental works at national level, it is imperative that census should be held regularly, with decennial intervals. But here the latest census of 1998 was held almost two decades after the immediately previous census of 1981. Now, more than 12 years have passed, and we are in 13th year of the last held census. We dont know when the next census will be held. The government is completely silent on this issue, and so are all the national organs including the media. It is anybodys guess, how a country can proceed and progress without the availability of latest data and information. I, for one, dont understand why such crucial matters like census cannot be held routinely by a government in 21st century, when the whole government machineries and functionaries are available on the ground, and are regularly drawing salaries and perks from the national exchequer. I also fail to understand, why the media who should have latest official data for political and economic discussions and debates, is completely silent on this issue. SYED SAYEF HUSSAIN, Karachi, January 23.