Dr Luay Shabaneh
IN a recent conversation with the UN Resident Coordinator, we explored how the UNFPA could better assist the UN Country Team in using census data to target interventions for those most in need. To his surprise, neither UNFPA nor any other development or national actor has access to the anonymized microdata from the latest census, despite the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) publishing 35 aggregate tables online.
This lack of access highlights a critical problem: Pakistan’s data dissemination is inadequate. The 2017 census—Pakistan’s first in nearly two decades—was a monumental effort. Thousands of enumerators were mobilized, billions of rupees spent and the country came together to collect vital information on population, housing, employment, education and services. Yet, despite these efforts, it took over three years to release the first batch of data and detailed results remain largely inaccessible to those who need it most—policymakers, researchers and development partners. This failure to make data accessible is more than a missed opportunity; it is a barrier to progress.
While the data collection was a logistical success, delays resulted from political disputes, legal chal-lenges and institutional setbacks. By the time the official results were released, governments at both federal and provincial levels had already made major policy and budgetary decisions—without the benefit of up-to-date demographic data. Even with the 2023 digital census—Pakistan’s first of its kind—aggregate figures are now available, but access to microdata for in-depth analysis remains blocked, two years after data collection ended.
In today’s world, where data fuels progress, Pakistan’s development is being hindered by a data crisis. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how nations generate insights and drive progress, yet Pakistan’s development agenda falters—not due to lack of effort, but because of insufficient, reliable data. This is not a technical issue; it’s a governance one. Las week, I attended the closing ceremony for UNFPA supported training workshop at PBS for AI-assisted sampling and survey techniques that makes doing census in very short period possible, but this opportunity will be lost again unless the mindset regarding sharing data becomes a reality.
To meet SDGs, Pakistan needs timely, granular data to inform real-time decision-making. Without full access to microdata—crucial for building models, evaluating social progress and forecasting fu-ture scenarios—policymakers, researchers and development actors are working blind. As the world races ahead with data-driven solutions, Pakistan cannot afford to fall behind. To build a future that is resilient, equitable and sustainable, Pakistan must start by unlocking the full potential of its statistical system.
Data is not a luxury; it’s the foundation of good governance. Pakistan spends billions on data collec-tion initiatives like the census and surveys, but much of this data is either inaccessible or released in outdated formats. Pakistan routinely reports on fewer than half of the SDG indicators, with most data being years old. A recent evaluation found significant gaps in key areas such as health, education, gender equality, environment and poverty—particularly at provincial and district levels. These gaps prevent meaningful progress, allowing inequalities to persist and public resources to be misallocated. If Pakistan is truly committed to achieving the 2030 Agenda, it must prioritize building a robust, transparent and technology-driven data ecosystem.
The PBS and provincial bureaus have made strides in collecting timely data, but the real challenge lies in enforcing the General Statistics Act of 2011 and implementing the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS). This is a governance issue that requires strong political will. To address this, the government is strongly advised to establish a policy for secure and anonymized microdata access. This would allow universities, think tanks, civil society and international organizations to conduct valuable research and generate insights. With proper safeguards in place, it’s possible to protect privacy while unlocking the full potential of these data sets. Additionally, PBS should be granted full operational and professional autonomy to endorse and release census results once technical standards are met—removing political bottlenecks that delay progress.Equally crucial is modernizing data collection. Digital tools like tablets, mobile applications and real-time dashboards can create interoperable platforms, enabling data from various ministries, provinces and agencies to be integrated, validated and shared efficiently. This modernization will improve planning, ensure more accurate decision-making and help integrate various datasets across governmental departments.
The 18th Amendment devolved significant responsibilities to the provinces, but without statistical capacity at the sub-national level, devolution will fail to deliver the desired outcomes. Strengthening provincial data systems is crucial for improving governance. At the same time, it is vital to engage citizens in the data process. Initiatives like PBS’s Data Fest 2024 are important first steps, involving the public, journalists and civil society in using data. Public dashboards, data visualizations and community-level reporting can make data accessible and actionable for all stakeholders.
Pakistan can no longer afford to waste more resources on data collection that remains unused or inaccessible on time. Building a modern, transparent and open statistical system is not an option—it’s an essential investment. The cost of poor data far outweighs the price of reform. If Pakistan is serious about building an inclusive and sustainable future, it must treat data as a public good and enforce the right to access public records and invest in the infrastructure to collect, share and use it effectively. International examples, from Canada, Kenya to Rwanda to Bangladesh, show how open and real-time data systems can drive better planning and service delivery. For Pakistan, this means adopting standards for anonymized data sharing, investing in digital platforms and fostering a data-driven governance culture. Only then can Pakistan fully harness its investments in data collection, ensuring that the seeds of development it plants today will indeed bear fruit in the future.
—The writer is UNFPA Representative.
