ISLAMABAD: Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications Syed Amin-ul-Haque inaugurated 'SELF ENUMERATION PORTAL' of 7th Population and Housing Census, 2023 as Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) is going to conduct Pakistan's first ever Digital census.

"Upcoming 7th Population and Housing Census is paradigm shift towards digitisation. Self-Enumeration is one of innovations and conveniences that this Digital Census has brought to in Statistical System of Pakistan. Through Self Enumeration portal, it is easy to enter household information. After completing this milestone, Pakistan will become first country in South Asia to offer facility of self-enumeration" Chief Census Commissioner Dr. Naeem uz Zafar appraised participants of ceremony.

He informed that Geo-tagging, Tablet-based data collection, real-time monitoring, Complaint management system and computer-assisted telephonic interviews for quality assurance will link whole process with credibility, reliability and transparency. He appreciated efforts of PBS and collaborating partners for working day and night for achieving this milestone. Muhammad Sarwar Gondal, Member of Resource Management/Support Services informed participants about backgroun-  d and efforts that were made to achieve goal of Digital Census in Pakistan. For credibility of this process, PBS involved all stakeholders from planning to finalisation of results. He further clarified that main purpose of Census is Data-driven Policymaking and Planning.

PBS used data of 2017 Census for implementation of Smart lockdown. After submission of questionnaire, UTN will be issued which will be saved in your portal and sent to your registered mobile number through SMS. This UTN will be verified by census enumerators during field enumeration. Chairman NADRA Tariq Malik appreciated efforts of NADRA team to adhere to timelines. In short time on war footing, 126,000 devices were prepared and distributed. Syed Amin-ul-Haque appreciated PBS and stakeholders (NADRA, SUPARCO, Provincial Governments, Armed Forces and NTC) to achieve huge milestone of Self Enumeration.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 21 2023

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