The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has been able to ensure a complete and accurate census, thanks to the use of digital innovations in its operations. With the help of real-time data obtained from field enumerators, the bureau has been able to monitor and analyze the trends and gaps daily, while physically monitoring and conducting fact-finding work in big cities through the Head Quarter teams. The Senior Management of the Bureau regularly monitors and visits field operations, ensuring that no one is left uncounted in the place where they reside.
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This support by the PBS is made possible through the digitization of the census process, which ensures universal and inclusive coverage. In this article, we will discuss how the digital innovations introduced by PBS have facilitated the first-ever digital census of Pakistan and ensured the accurate counting of the population.
The Role of PBS in the Census Process
PBS has played a crucial role in the successful completion of Pakistan’s first-ever digital census, which began in February 2023. PBS has been able to ensure a 100% coverage rate by using digital innovations to obtain real-time data from field enumerators, which is then analyzed and monitored for trends and gaps daily. PBS Head Quarter teams were specially deployed in big cities for physical monitoring and fact-finding purposes. The findings were collated, and the data and lists were shared with provinces for their due action.
The digitization of the census process has enabled the PBS to ensure that no one is left uncounted, regardless of where they reside. The bureau has provided dashboards and geo-tagging to provincial governments, which, along with the in-depth data analysis by expert statisticians, have increased transparency and accountability in the census process. The constant engagement with all stakeholders, including Chief Ministers, Ministers, and Key Political Leaders, has added to the shared ownership and authenticity of this census process.
Efficacy and Efficiency of Digital Innovations
The first-ever digital census of Pakistan has proved to be efficient and effective, thanks to the use of digital innovations. The identification of missed households, missed members of households, and miscounting and underreporting of collective residences in high rises in big cities such as Karachi was made possible through the technology innovation, which was then shared with the relevant provincial departments. This information led to a significant increase in the population, with an increase of over 7.4 million between April 12 and April 25, 2023, with 2 million in Karachi alone.
The high-tech expertise and hard work of the PBS, along with the commitment and dedication of all stakeholders at every level, have resulted in a successful census coverage. The use of technology and digitization of every phase and layer of the census process has provided all stakeholders with confidence in a true picture of the Pakistan population emerging from this census, with authentic and credible information shared by the people. This, in turn, will ensure responsive and effective policy planning.
In conclusion, the use of digital innovations has been instrumental in ensuring the accurate counting of the population in Pakistan’s first-ever digital census. The PBS has been able to ensure universal and inclusive coverage, making sure that no one is left uncounted in the place where they reside. The bureau has provided dashboards and geo-tagging to provincial governments, which, along with the in-depth data analysis by expert statisticians, have increased transparency and accountability in the census process. The constant engagement with all stakeholders, including Chief Ministers, Ministers, and Key Political Leaders, has added to the shared ownership and authenticity of this census process.
