Registering children

The prospect of registering children at the time of birth, thereby eliminating the need for subsequent visits to union council offices for birth certificates, is a significant step towards streamlining administrative processes and ensuring access to essential documentation. This move, under consideration by the government, has the potential to revolutionise how births are recorded in Pakistan, with far-reaching implications for both individuals and society as a whole. The importance of this initiative is emphasised by Pakistan’s birth registration rates being lower than global standards.

At the heart of this move lies the recognition of birth registration as a fundamental right of every child. Legal identity and citizenship not only provide individuals with official documentation that is crucial for accessing a wide range of rights and services but also facilitates the effective functioning of society as a whole. Currently, the process of obtaining a birth certificate in Pakistan often involves multiple visits to union council offices, bureaucratic hurdles and delays. For many families, especially those living in remote or underserved areas, navigating this cumbersome process can be both time-consuming and challenging.

Immediate birth registration provides a reliable record of births, which is crucial for accurately estimating population size and demographics. With a more complete and up-to-date registry of births, census authorities can improve the accuracy and reliability of their data, leading to more informed policymaking and resource allocation decisions. Additionally, birth registration facilitates the tracking of population trends over time, including changes in fertility rates, mortality rates and population growth, essential for planning and implementing various social and economic development programmes. By ensuring that every child is registered immediately after birth, Pakistan can enhance the quality of its demographic data and strengthen its capacity for evidence-based decision-making and planning.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2024.

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