In what is a significant achievement for both the province and the country, the government of Sindh has completed Pakistan’s first real-time digital birth registration.
Baby Messam Abbas was officially registered at the moment of birth at the Sindh Government Hospital, Qasimabad, Hyderabad, through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Birth Registration/Notification Tool.
Officials said this milestone was achieved under the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Pilot Project, launched in July 2025 with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The initiative is currently operational in thirty-six public sector health facilities and thirteen private hospitals across Sindh, ensuring seamless integration of birth registration into the health system and granting every child a secure legal identity from the moment they are born.
Under the leadership of Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Asif Hyder Shah and the Provincial Steering Committee on CRVS, Sindh has set an ambitious goal of achieving ninety-five percent birth and death registration coverage by 2028, with the ultimate vision of one hundred percent digital registration. This pioneering effort positions Sindh as a model for other provinces in Pakistan.
The CS hailed the achievement as a turning point in Pakistan’s civil registration history, stating that this is not just about data, but about rights, dignity, and access. He stressed that every child must be counted, and every life must be recognized, adding that Sindh is leading the way for Pakistan.
He emphasised that birth registration is a fundamental step in protecting children’s rights and enabling their access to critical services such as immunization, education, and healthcare. The CS also highlighted the government’s recent decision to abolish all birth registration fees across Sindh to eliminate financial barriers, particularly for underprivileged families. He said this initiative is designed to remove financial obstacles so that even the most vulnerable families can easily register their children without any cost.
He further noted that the proactive approach of the Sindh government will accelerate registration rates, especially in rural and remote areas where coverage has historically been low. He underlined that protecting children’s rights, ensuring their prosperity, and securing a safe childhood are not just policy matters but moral and constitutional obligations of the state.
With universal birth registration, every child will have the opportunity to access government welfare programmes and secure a brighter future. This landmark achievement was made possible through the close collaboration of dedicated partners, including, Health Department, Government of Sindh, Nadra and Sindh Local Government Department and with the technical and strategic support of the United Nations Population Fund. Officials from relevant departments present at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the CRVS initiative, raising public awareness, and ensuring district-level implementation.
Moreover, with this first real-time digital birth registration, Sindh has taken a decisive step toward modernising Pakistan’s civil registration system, ensuring that every child’s first right—the right to identity—is fulfilled immediately and without discrimination.
Published in News Daily on 11-August-2025.
