LONDON: The Republic of Balochistan has announced plans to conduct what it describes as its first National Population and Housing Census in 2027, presenting the exercise as a cornerstone of its proposed governance and state-building framework.

According to a press note issued on July 16, the proposed census would seek to compile demographic data across what the group describes as the entire territory of Balochistan. It said the exercise would record population figures, households, and demographic categories including women, children, youth and the elderly, with the aim of supporting future public policy and development planning.

The statement said the census would be organised by institutions established by the Republic of Balochistan and that the data would form the basis for national budgeting, resource allocation and public administration.

The group also said the census would help determine requirements for civil administration, healthcare, education, defence planning and recruitment for public institutions. It described the initiative as a key element in building a digital national database to support future systems such as civil registration, electoral planning, taxation, healthcare management and digital identity programmes.

In the statement, the Republic of Balochistan rejected Pakistan’s official census estimate of approximately 15 million people for Balochistan, claiming instead that the territory’s population is closer to 60 million. It said the proposed 2027 exercise would provide what it called an independently verified demographic record.

The announcement reflects the group’s stated vision for future governance and development. Pakistan does not recognise the self-declared Republic of Balochistan and continues to administer Balochistan as one of its provinces. The claims and proposed census outlined in the statement have not been independently verified.