ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has drafted National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS 2020-30) framework to produce timely, reliable, transparent and free from political and other undue external influence statistics to meet the national and international obligations of data requirements to be used for planning, monitoring and evaluation.
According to the PBS, the present National Statistical System (NSS) of Pakistan comprises different federal and provincial statistical organizations, statistical cells, and wings etc, which are producing ocean of data every year.
The actual challenge before the NSS is the release of timely, accurate and demand-oriented data for which the NSDS has been initiated.
It further stated that the overall objective of the NSDS is to strengthen the quality and availability of statistics through improvement of the NSS in Pakistan to provide accurate, reliable and timely data for evidence-based decision making to support the planners and policy experts.
In particular, the objectives of the NSDS can be: i) to strengthen the present statistical practices in vogue in the country to produce quality, reliable, transparent and timely data by adopting scientific and international best practices and guidelines in order to meet the national and international data requirements; (ii) To examine the current tools and practices of data collection organizations regarding their methodologies and procedures to produce comprehensive and coherent data and to propose improvements thereof; (iii) Improve coordination and promote synergy between data producers and users to narrow down the gap between data supply and demand along with removal of duplications to avoid conflicts and save the resources; (iv) Capacity building of statistical practitioners through creating environment for professional training, analytical work and research atmosphere; and (v) ensure the long term sustainability of NSS through continuous improvements in the future data collection exercises.
In order to meet the above objectives of the strategy, all the key stakeholders were approached to contribute for preparation of this document, the PBS added.
This document comprises analytical review of existing parts of the NSS to determine the weaknesses and opportunities for the improvement of the statistical system.
The data gaps has been identified particularly for the SDGs and provided strategy to further search out the new data series to be included in the routine data collection exercises.
The NSDS also provided an opportunity to establish a Centralized Data Bank with the support of all statistical counterparts to provide a facility of one window to the data users, which is a collective and archaic demand of various stakeholders. The PBS further added that the scope of the NSDS will remain to improve the present statistical system of Pakistan and to devise a roadmap for the development of official statistics in the country.
The focus is to increase the efficiency of data collection organizations, which are directly or indirectly collecting, producing, compiling, and disseminating statistics to be used for the ultimate benefits of the population in the country.
In addition, organizations involved in maintenance of official records regarding different areas vis-à-vis population, agriculture, livestock, education, health, banking, import/export, taxes, finance, socio-economic conditions etc., research organizations, individuals, and data users are also covered and involved in the development of the NSDS.
It further stated that the prime minister announced "Ehsaas" programme for the development of different sectors of the economy and to reduce the poverty through economic development in the country.
This programme also initiated the formulation of NSDS in the country to produce timely, reliable, transparent and free from political and other undue external influence statistics.
The NSDS for the period from 2020 to 2030 has been prepared to provide roadmap for the development of the NSS.
Main purpose of the NSDS is to strengthen the current statistical practices in the country.
The current main data collection exercises of all the counterparts of the NSS are highlighted to observe the space for improvement. Situation analysis also highlighted the SDGs covered by the PBS and digital transformation and data dissemination by the PBS.
The SWOT analysis of the NSS highlighted the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement, and threats to the development plans of the current statistical system.
Goals and targets for the national statistical system are given and to achieve these targets, different strategies have been proposed.
These strategies include timely and rapid data collection, master sampling frame, data gaps for SDGs and demand driven data collection, responsive NSS for pandemic situation, efficient system of national accounts, roles of governing and user's councils, improvement in harmonization and communication, standardized data series, and provision of user friendly data.
The central data bank is also proposed under the title "Statistics Pakistan" to provide all types of data under one umbrella.
Establishment of data dissemination and media cells for data marketing, big data and cloud technology, capacity building and proposal for Centre of Excellence for statistics, coordination with universities and initiation of internship programme, statistical conferences and seminars, and international cooperation strategies have also been proposed in this document.
The detailed implementation plan for all the strategies has also been devised, so that organizations being part of the NSS can easily implement their relevant strategies.
The documents revealed that the NSS lacks medium and long-term strategic planning, since most decisions are made on adhoc basis or even are donor driven. Further, the NSS is not performing its active role for provision of credible, authentic and timely statistics.
The data gaps are filled by the organizations not having statistical background and without using robust statistical techniques.
Non-availability of financial resources from the government compels organizations working in the NSS to search out funding agencies for new and gigantic projects, besides malfunctioning due to outdated IT equipment and softwares at most of the data collection organizations in the NSS. Delay in data collection, entry and processing due to paper based data collection causing late release of reports.
Conducting surveys by different non-governmental organizations producing non-official statistics without having adequate sampling frames and proper sample design causing misleading results.
As per the proposed strategy, android-based data collection will be started in all the statistical organizations during 2020-2030.
The data collection organisations will shift from paper-based data collection to the android-based data collection (long term). The PBS has initiated electronic data collection.
They must expand this activity (a) For all surveys (short term), (b) For coming Economic Census (short term), (c) For coming Agricultural Census (short term), and (d) For next Population Census (long term).
It is proposed that all the statistical organizations working in the NSS should get advantage of this technology for collection of actual data according to the ground realities.
The PBS should provide guidance to other desiring organizations for adoption of this technology.
It is proposed that need-based district offices of the PBS may be established in all the districts of four provinces, the GB and the AJ&K.
The BOS and CRS organizations may also be established in the GB and the AJ&K to collect relevant information on an urgent basis.
Master sampling frame can be prepared for sample based censuses and surveys. Two strategies can be adopted for different censuses and surveys.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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