LAHORE: The Punjab government and the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) have entered into an agreement to collect citizens’ data through the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry (PSER) and the latter validating and supporting centralised data management as well as maintaining privacy and protection of citizens’ information.

This initiative, inaugurated by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on July 25, will serve as a milestone in establishing a data-driven decision support system.

Planning and Development Board Secretary Dr Asif Tufail and Nadra’s Chief Projects Officer Rehman Qamar signed the agreement in the presence of P&D Board Chairman Nabeel Awan at board’s office on Friday.

The PSER is the country’s first provincial-level socioeconomic database, designed to ensure that everyone is counted and the government has data of its citizens for evidence-based decision-making and targeting in Social Protection Initiatives.

By gathering and managing comprehensive data on Punjab’s population, Dr Tufail said, the PSER would play a key role in verifying eligibility for various welfare programmes, including the Punjab Kisan Card, Livestock Card, E-Bike Scheme, and Chief Minister’s Ramazan Package. During times of crisis or natural disasters, he said, the registry would also enable timely assistance to vulnerable households.

The secretary said the data of each family member collected in the PSER and validated through Nadra would help exclude the whole rich family and include the whole poor family in targeted social protection initiatives. He said the agreement would strengthen the chief minister’s commitment to a transparent and effective social protection system.

Dr Tufail said Nadra’s involvement would also expand access to the PSER through both physical registration centres and a door-to-door survey, allowing easy registration for citizens across the province. By leveraging Nadra’s expertise, he said, the PSER would serve as an essential tool for equitable welfare distribution across the province, contributing to a more inclusive and resilient Punjab.

PDWP: The Provincial Development Working Party on Friday approved two schemes with an estimated cost of Rs3.6bn.

It approved construction of a Judicial Complex at Gujjar Khan in district Rawalpindi at a cost of Rs1.46bn as well as another Judicial Complex at Jhang DHQ at a cost of Rs2.14bn.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2024