LAHORE: The Punjab government has formally launched a socio-economic registry project to gather reliable data for planning future initiatives.

Approval for the project was given at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday. Commissioners and deputy commissioners from almost all divisions and districts joined via video link. Information & Culture Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari and other relevant officers were also present.

Ms Nawaz instructed the DCs to monitor the project, which will record the financial status of each family and the total number of houses. It will also serve as a livestock survey by including the number of cattle heads.

At least 5,000 registration centres have been established across the province for the scheme titled “Ab Hoga Sab Ka Shumar” (Everyone Will Be Counted), also known as the Khushali (Prosperity) survey.

People are being encouraged to register for the scheme, with the assurance that all future social protection benefits will be extended only to those enlisted. These benefits include the e-bike, Roshan Gharana Solar Programme, Himmat Card, Kissan Card, Health Card, Livestock Card, and Scholarship Programme.

To facilitate the registration process, an online web portal (www.pser.punjab.gov.pk) has been established, allowing those who cannot access a registration centre to register from home.

“Having authentic data will enable planners to provide the due rights to the truly deserving,” the chief minister said. “We have simplified the registration process in the Socio-Economic Registry Project, which will enable the government to timely resolve the problems of the people.”

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2024