Senate unanimously passes The General Statistics (Reorganisation) Bill 2011

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed The General Statistics (Reorganisation) Bill 2011 to provide for establishment of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics for producing reliable, authentic, timely and transparent data compatible with the needs of the economy and socio-economic development requirements of the country.
The Bill, which has been passed by the National Assembly, was moved in the Upper House by Minister of State for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar to provide for the reorganisation of statistical system in Pakistan [The General Statistics (Reorganisation) Bill 2011] and was passed unanimously after clause by clause reading.
In its, statement of objects and reasons, the Bill states that the restructuring and reorganisation of the federal statistical system of Pakistan to make it more responsive to the national requirements, with increased autonomy and credibility and ensure a proper statistical capacity building career planning of professional staff, up-gradation of their skills and above all, economy in resources through better co-ordination and integration of different data collecting agencies have been under consideration of the government.
Establishment of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the Bill suggested that - (1) There shall be established a bureau to be called the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) to carry out the purpose of this Act. (2) On the establishment of the Bureau, all assets, rights, powers, authorities and privileges and all movable and immovable properties, cash and bank balances, investments and all other interests and rights in or arising out of, such property and all debts liabilities and obligations of the Federal Bureau of Statistics, the Agricultural Census Organisation and Population Census Organisation shall vest in the Bureau.
(3) The head office of the Bureau shall be at Islamabad and the Bureau may establish regional and field offices at such other places and in such numbers as the Governing Council may, from time to time, deem fit.
(4) The Federal Government shall provide grant in aid (annual or supplementary) for pay, allowances, pension and other employees related expenses, etc, as admissible to the civil servants, from time to time, for the staff of Bureau including that of Federal Bureau of Statistics, Population Census Organisation, Agricultural Census Organisation and Technical Wing of Statistics Division and operation of the Bureau including funds needed for conduct of different departmental censuses, surveys, studies, development projects, training of staff, purchase of durable goods, construction of office buildings and operating expenses etc.
(5) The design of all censuses, surveys or statistical studies proposed, to be undertaken by the Federal Government or any organisation of Federal Government shall be finalised in consultation with the Bureau.
(6) Powers and functions of the Bureau: The Bureau shall have all such powers as may be necessary to perform its duties and functions under this Act. These powers will be exercised by the Chief Statistician on behalf of the Bureau. Earlier, Chairman of the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges presented two reports of the Senate committee before the House against alleged cancellation of Senator Syed Sajid Hussain Zaidi's seat from Sukkur to Karachi by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and alleged rude and arrogant behaviour of Project Director of Chaghi Water Management and Agriculture Department, Balochistan with Senator Wali Mohammad Badini.