PBS Signs New Data Sharing Agreements

The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has signed new data-sharing agreements with major government bodies during DataFest 2025. The partnerships aim to improve access to reliable data and support national planning through better coordination among public institutions.

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At DataFest 2025 in Islamabad, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics signed memorandums of understanding under the theme “Unlocking Tomorrow with AI” with key government organisations to expand cooperation on data sharing and research. The event featured more than 60 stalls and 30 workshops, bringing together experts, policy makers, students and international partners to discuss the role of data in public planning.

The new agreements involve the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the National Price Monitoring Committee and the Planning and Development Department of Balochistan. Officials said these partnerships will help departments exchange information more efficiently and support national planning with accurate statistics.

Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary called data a “tool for development,” stressing that effective decisions cannot be made without dependable information. Senior officials also highlighted PBS’s recent national initiatives, including the Population and Housing Census 2023, the Economic Census and the Integrated Agricultural Census.

PBS shared new youth-focused activities, including a quiz and poster competition and an upcoming Youth Data Fair. International organisations such as UNICEF, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), The World Bank, FAO, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and UNDP also joined the event, adding global insight to Pakistan’s data efforts.