Karachi, March 27, 2025 – The Sindh government has launched an ambitious initiative to achieve 100% birth registration across the province, emphasizing its critical role in protecting children’s rights and ensuring access to essential public services.
Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, has announced a plan to amend the Sindh Local Government Act, making birth registration mandatory for all newborns. This move aims to overcome existing gaps in registration processes and create a more structured and efficient system that guarantees every child in Sindh receives a legal identity from birth.
In a high-level meeting chaired by Shah, senior officials from the Sindh Health Department, the Information Technology Department, the Local Government Department, and NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) gathered to discuss strategies for accelerating the birth registration process. Among the attendees were Secretary Health Rehan Iqbal Baloach, Secretary Information Technology Noor Ahmed Samo, and Director General NADRA Ehtasham Shahid.
Simplifying Birth Registration Across Sindh
During the meeting, Shah highlighted that the Sindh government has already removed financial barriers to birth registration by making the service free-of-charge. This initiative is particularly aimed at underprivileged communities who may have faced difficulties in registering their children due to financial constraints.
To further streamline the registration process, the government is working closely with NADRA and local authorities to develop a fully digitalized system. This system will ensure real-time updates and improved accuracy in birth records, preventing errors and enhancing efficiency. The new approach will also integrate data collection from hospitals, Lady Health Workers, and community health centers to ensure that all births in Sindh are properly documented.
Strengthening Coordination for Effective Registration
Birth registration, along with marriage, divorce, and death registration, falls under the jurisdiction of the Sindh Local Government Department as per the Sindh Local Government Act 2013. The government is strengthening coordination between the Local Government Department and NADRA to improve service delivery and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that often delay registration.
A province-wide awareness campaign is also being launched to educate families, particularly in marginalized and rural communities, about the importance of birth registration. Schools, health centers, and local community leaders will play an essential role in encouraging parents to complete the registration process in a timely manner.
Impact on Public Services and Planning
Ensuring comprehensive birth registration in Sindh is expected to significantly improve provincial planning and the delivery of public services. Accurate and up-to-date registration data will enable the government to make informed decisions regarding healthcare, education, immunization programs, and other social welfare initiatives.
Speaking at the meeting, Chief Secretary Shah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that every child in Sindh has a legal identity, paving the way for their future access to rights and services. He stressed that birth registration is not merely a bureaucratic requirement but a fundamental step in building a prosperous and equitable society.
As the Sindh government pushes forward with its goal of achieving 100% birth registration, stakeholders, including parents, local authorities, and healthcare providers, are urged to actively participate in the initiative. This collective effort will help create a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive registration system that guarantees every child in Sindh has a secure and documented identity from birth.