DUBAI: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the cost of the 6th census of Pakistan will stand at around Rs18 billion, including Rs6 billion allocated to the Army for the purpose.

Dar said this while addressing the media here after successful talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund.

He said that the army's participation in the census was very important for the credibility of the process.

The finance minister said that the incumbent government was ready to hold census in 2016 but decided not to on the advice of former army chief Gen (RETD) Raheel Sharif as the army was engaged in Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Dar also condemned the terror attack on census team in Lahore and expressed his condolences over the loss of lives.

Replying to a question from The News, the minister said that the census expenditure was already allocated in the budget and will not put extra burden on the economy of the country.

He added that conducting census is important for long-term economic planning, emphasising that human capital is related to economic growth.