Apropos a news item "Controversy over growth figures: situation underscores need for granting greater autonomy to PBS: analysts" carried by Business Recorder on 2nd July, 2014, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has clarified that "annual estimates of GDP for the years 2011-12 (Final), 2012-13 (Revised) and 2013-14 (Provisional) were approved by the National Accounts Committee (NAC) Meeting held on 15th May, 2014 purely on the basis of data available upto that point of time and not in accordance with the desires of any one in the government hierarchy. This is the system which is in vogue since long. The data for the balance of the year is projected according to methods and procedures already in practice.
"In this system the data are presented to the NAC members. These are the experts of their subjects and data producers for the relevant sectors as well.The discussion is sector by sector and year by year. "They review and authenticate their input. After thorough discussion the Chairman of the committee approves the estimates. No other department has such forum and such a versatile data to measure the performance of the whole economy. The composition of the committee has no link to the change of government; it is an institutional framework.
"The international agencies and forums refer to the released figures in their future planning/ discussions. The estimates of other forums are treated as superfluous and never adopted in any serious discussions. "The estimates of PBS are based on consistent methods and sources. The other forums can adopt any data and source which suits to their perceptions while PBS does not have this luxury. We are responsible to the nation. The author has quoted GDP growth rates of 3.3 to 3.5 percent based on perceptions, models and methods which are not consistent with the approved methods and sources. The working of PBS is according to the International Standards. Recently, the IMF has thoroughly discussed the annual as well as quarterly procedures, which are being observed by PBS and showed its satisfaction.
"It is clarified that PBS, being an autonomous body after the enactment of General Statistics Act 2011, is working according to the mandate of the act. The act provides the guide lines for the set-up. The Governing Council under the Chairmanship of the Finance Minister takes the policy decisions and has no role in the routine matters of the PBS. Functional autonomy is being enjoyed by PBS in its working. "The act provides the guidelines for the setup. The governing council under the chairmanship of the Finance Minister takes the policy decisions and has no role in the routine matters of the PBS. The functional autonomy is being enjoyed by PBS in its working," the clarification concludes.