KARACHI:
It was absolutely delightful and heartwarming to read of the ‘Birth’ and ‘Death’ registration processes going online in Islamabad. This is indeed a huge step forward and NADRA deserves all the praise and respect for crossing this milestone. Having said that, I have two suggestions that could actually change the decadent bureaucratic processes that have been followed in Pakistan for the last 80 years.
1) While the recently introduced online process of birth and death registrations and certificates is praiseworthy, it is entirely dependent on a citizen reporting a birth or a death. We well know that 60 per cent births and perhaps as many deaths are never reported for years. The same non-reporting practice would largely continue, except for a small educated class who will take benefit from the recently introduced online service. The true answer lies in adopting the UK or the Uzbekistan model i.e. register every birth and every death online and on the same day. This is no big science. All it needs is direct linkages and protocols between NADRA and all hospitals, health units, health visitors and graveyards. For Pakistan whose population is galloping at a rate 10 times faster than its resources or ability, this is the only solution.
2) The suggestion described at para 1 above ought to be implemented throughout Pakistan. Do we not know that the existing birth and death registration processes at the UCs are hugely torturous and a source of extraction. Here is a brilliant opportunity for NADRA to lift Pakistan out of this self-created quagmire.
Naeem Sadiq
Karachi
