Statistical systems need to be aligned with data standards used by IMF, World Bank: experts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan needs to align its statistical systems with internationally-recognised data standards, including those used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, to improve data accessibility, economic analysis and evidence-based policymaking, experts said at an international conference held at Air University on Tuesday.

Speaking at the AI Tech Expo, organised as part of the 3rd International Conference on Recent Trends in Statistics, Data Analytical Sciences and AI Tech Expo 2026, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) Director Rizwan Bashir highlighted the importance of adopting Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX), an international standard used for exchanging and sharing statistical information.

He said standardising datasets would facilitate information sharing, improve international comparability and enable faster analysis through emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).

Bashir maintained that traditional surveys and periodic statistical reports were increasingly insufficient to meet the rapidly changing information requirements of policymakers, particularly during economic disruptions, natural disasters and other emergencies.

He called for integrating administrative records with existing statistical systems and using machine learning to improve the speed, accuracy and consistency of data collection and analysis, while maintaining statistical integrity and public trust.

Addressing the conference as chief guest, Secretary Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Dr Muhammad Tahir Noor said Pakistan’s technological advancement should be assessed by its contribution to productivity, economic opportunities and improved public services rather than the sophistication of technology alone.

“The progress of our technology sector should be measured partly by the opportunities it creates for others,” he said.

Dr Noor stressed that locally developed digital solutions must consider affordability, connectivity and varying levels of digital literacy. He also urged universities and employers to prepare young professionals for changing workplace requirements as artificial intelligence transforms industries and employment patterns.

Former Chief Statistician of Pakistan Dr Naeem uz Zafar highlighted the economic potential of the country’s first digital population census, saying more than 40 million structures had been geocoded, creating a valuable foundation for development planning.

He explained that combining census information with administrative records, economic surveys and geographical datasets could help policymakers identify mismatches between the demand and supply of essential services.

For instance, mapping school-age populations against educational facilities could identify underserved areas, while geographical information on businesses and economic activities could guide investment decisions and improve resource allocation. He emphasised the need for greater cooperation among government institutions to integrate datasets and make statistical information more useful for economic planning, social inclusion and governance.

Former Surveyor General of Pakistan Major General Kamal Azfar, HI(M), said geospatial information, combined with AI and other digital technologies, could significantly improve infrastructure planning, urban management and climate resilience.

Citing Islamabad as an example, he said integrating information on roads, buildings, population, drainage systems and environmental conditions could support the development of a digital twin of the capital, allowing authorities to plan public services more efficiently and respond to climate-related risks.

He also highlighted efforts to establish a National Spatial Data Infrastructure and develop a national geospatial policy.

AI Geo Navigators CEO Asim Javid raised concerns over the limited role of statisticians in public policymaking and industry, saying the growing adoption of AI required greater attention to data quality and reliability.

He argued that statisticians should be given a stronger role in government institutions and businesses to identify data gaps and develop evidence-based solutions.

Entrepreneur Sikandar Zaman, Chairman and Founder of Pakistan Health Parliament, questioned whether Pakistan’s growing research output and expanding use of AI were delivering meaningful economic and social benefits.

Drawing on his experience in healthcare, he said businesses often struggled to access reliable domestic datasets and were consequently forced to use information from international markets to develop analytical models and technological solutions.

He urged researchers and technology entrepreneurs to focus on solving real-world problems rather than developing AI applications without a clear economic or social purpose.

Zaman also emphasised calculated risk-taking, professional discipline and practical execution, saying Pakistan’s young population represented a major economic asset that needed better training and opportunities.

Meanwhile, Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah of the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) offered paid internship opportunities to students, encouraging them to gain hands-on experience in managing and analysing the institution’s extensive datasets.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026