Interview with Reza Ali

Q. Almost two decades since you estimated the actual percentage of urbanization in Pakistan – why do you think the myth of ‘rural Pakistan’ still persists in certain policy circles?
A. We have a new series covering the 1981, 1998 and 2017 preliminary results for Pakistan provinces and sub-provincial regions. So if someone is interested, this is all available. But Pakistan is a rural country and the future of our eco-survival will be decided in the rural space. So for me rural Pakistan is not a myth but a social, economic and cultural reality and the ultimate refuge in the battle for our survival as a species. Q. Do you think the urban population in censuses are under-reported in Pakistan? A. No, I don’t think so.