Abdul Majeed's family. PHOTO COURTESY: BBC URDU

The population census team carrying out a nationwide campaign was met with a surprise as they discovered a man living with 42 of his children in the Noshki district of Balochistan.70-year-old Haji Abdul Majeed Mengal, who is a driver by profession, had 54 children from six wives, 12 of whom have died, BBC Urdu reported.Two of his wives have also died, leaving four of them with him.Among Abdul Majeed's children are 22 boys and 20 girls.The district is 130 kilometres from Quetta towards east near the Afghanistan border.Interestingly, prior to the commencement of the headcount exercise, Jan Muhammad Khilji hailing from Quetta was believed to have the highest, 36 children.The house and population census began in March this year after a hiatus of 19 years. The exercise is being assisted by the armed forces of the country, accompanying the census staff in door-to-door visits.