Mr. Ahsan Iqbal Minister PD&SI chaired the meeting on the activities of PBS and initiatives taken by PBS for improvement in data reporting for informed decision making. Dr. Naeem uz Zafar, Chief Statistician along with senior officers of PBS attended the meeting. Chief statistician. briefed the Minister about the activities of PBS and their role in providing timely, reliable, and quality data for evidence-based policymaking in social and economic sectors. It was also informed that PBS has shifted from manual data collection to electronic data collection and has achieved an In-House capacity to develop Android Based data collection software, Mobile Aaps, and Dash Boards. He was informed that PBS being an NSO is working diligently to provide data to policymakers, researchers, and academia in a user-friendly mode in an interactive mode with time series and infographics at the lowest possible level. It was further informed that PBS is developing Decision Support Systems and Data Dissemination Systems which would enable the policymakers to take evidence-based decision making. Major activities of PBS such as Population & Housing Census, Mouza Census, PSLM/HIES Survey, Labour Force Surveys (LFS), Census of Manufacturing Industries National Accounts, Price statistics, Trade statistics were explained to the Minister and it was also informed that PBS not only completed their recent series but the data has also disseminated to the policymakers and general public through Dashboards in a user-friendly manner.
The Minister PD&SI appreciated the efforts of PBS and said that reliable and timely data helps the policymakers to make informed decisions. He said that PBS has a vast repository of data and PBS should focus on branding itself as an NSO. It should project itself as an efficient and credible technical organization. PBS should be the nucleus of all statistical activities and should start working with partner organizations, universities, and provincial departments. He also directed that PBS also hold a series of workshops for the line departments at the federal level especially ministry P&SI, Provincial governments, and the District Management for sensitization about the data repository and its effective use for evidence-based policymaking for improving Governance.
Minister PD&SI is also of the view that the development indicators collected through PBS census & Survey may be compiled at the constituency level as it will not only be able to help for tracking their progress but also create healthy competition. He is also of the view that PBS may collaborate with the academia to apprise the students and teachers about the practical use of statistics and also create societies of Professional statisticians for providing their expert input in improving statistics and its reporting. further PBS may arrange internships for students to equip with the latest statistical methods being employed.
The Minister PD&SI appreciated the efforts of PBS and said that reliable and timely data helps the policymakers to make informed decisions. He said that PBS has a vast repository of data and PBS should focus on branding itself as an NSO. It should project itself as an efficient and credible technical organization. PBS should be the nucleus of all statistical activities and should start working with partner organizations, universities, and provincial departments. He also directed that PBS also hold a series of workshops for the line departments at the federal level especially ministry P&SI, Provincial governments, and the District Management for sensitization about the data repository and its effective use for evidence-based policymaking for improving Governance.
Minister PD&SI is also of the view that the development indicators collected through PBS census & Survey may be compiled at the constituency level as it will not only be able to help for tracking their progress but also create healthy competition. He is also of the view that PBS may collaborate with the academia to apprise the students and teachers about the practical use of statistics and also create societies of Professional statisticians for providing their expert input in improving statistics and its reporting. further PBS may arrange internships for students to equip with the latest statistical methods being employed.