Data requirements: PBS workshop to ‘ensure more comprehensive understanding’

KARACHI: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Monday held 2nd workshop of a series, in collaboration with the United Nations Fund Population (UNFPA), engaging both data producers and users to gather diverse perspectives, identify needs, and bridge any existing gaps in the data dissemination process.

“These workshops will foster collaboration between various data users and producers including Government bodies (like Provincial Bureaus of Statistics and Crop reporting services etc.),” a news release said issued here.

The bureau said the workshops would ensure a more comprehensive understanding of data requirements and consequently enhance the quality and accessibility of statistical information for policymakers and planners. “This strategy will ensure evidence-based decision-making across different levels of governance.”

This initiative will help PBS in crafting a crucial National Data Dissemination Policy to ensure that the statistics produced by it reach and benefit a wide range of users.

The 2nd workshop was attended by data users, researchers, demographers and other stakeholders, besides Dr Naeem uz Zafar, Chief statistician, Member (SS/RM), Muhammad Sarwar Gondal, Member (C&S) Ayazuddin and other senior officers of PBS.

In his opening remarks, Dr Naeem uz Zafar apprised the forum that the PBS had taken a proactive approach to address the challenges faced by data users in accessing necessary information. The initiative of hosting nationwide workshops, he said, would help bridge the gap between the availability of data and the needs of users.

Muhammad Sarwar Gondal presented the policy formulated by PBS to the audience and highlighted that developing strategies for web-based data dissemination was crucial in today’s digital landscape. He said creating partnerships for data dissemination could amplify the reach and impact of the information shared.

UNFPA Pakistan Representative Behram Gul emphasized on the value of sharing anonymized micro-level data. By making this data accessible, she said it became a valuable resource for research and analysis, particularly in understanding localized trends and needs.