‘CRVS programme’s implementation top priority’

Islamabad : Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, Development and Reforms Kanwal Shauzab has said the implementation of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) programme had been included in the government's priority agenda and that the CRVS initiatives would be executed and completed in an aggressive manner.

“Our government is committed and striving to ensure that all citizens attain legal identity from the responsive civil registration system,” she told a meeting on the Development of Pakistan CRVS Trust Fund for Strengthening CRVS System at the Pakistan Planning and Management Institute Complex here.

The meeting was organised by the Technical Support Unit (CRVS) of the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Reforms. It was attended by the development partners, including the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank.

The parliamentary secretary, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said careful planning of the MDTF, including scope, modalities, and mechanism, was the most important step for well-functioning MDTF.

She said to address challenges into perspective and to establish a comprehensive CRVS system, a substantial, long-term technical support from the UN partners was desired.

"The ministry believes that an MDTF should be developed like several other critical development projects," she said.

The ministry's chief (health), Dr Muhammad Asif, briefed participants about the background of the CRVS programme and its implementation in Pakistan.