Pakistan – Step forward, reform and compete with the rest of the world. Part 2.

Pakistan – Step forward, reform and compete with the rest of the world. Part 2.

Progress requires a detox from perpetual pessimism and helplessness.  Unwillingness to change has pushed Pakistan into stagnation and backwardness.  Forever begging for money and resources has destroyed our self-esteem and our ability to use either technology or imagination. Why are we shy of any reform, however small.  Have we no desire left to improve or compete with the rest of the world.

Focus on the smallest of tasks – every citizen’s need to obtain a birth and death certificate. Despite an excellent organisation (NADRA), we continue to follow photocopy and affidavit driven, complex archaic, and bureaucratic processes for obtaining these certificates.  Some 60 percent of children do not obtain NADRA birth registration (CRC), till they reach the age of five.  Likewise, the complex processes of obtaining death certificates (and CNICs cancellation) results in NADRA making only 20 percent death certificates of those who actually die each year. Imagine the downstream chaos caused by the misuse of uncancelled CNIC cards.

Here is how another developing country, not too far from our borders, has ruthlessly eliminated all bureaucratic hurdles.  Uzbekistan, which came into existence in 1991 has no out-of-school children and few tax-evaders. No citizen is required to visit any office or submit any document to obtain a birth or death certificate. The state has authorised every medical institution to handle birth registrations directly. Upon the birth of a child, the hospital issues a birth registration certificate featuring a QR code, linked with government records. This digital certificate serves the same legal purpose as the traditional stamped birth certificate.

Likewise, every medical institution is mandated to submit a deceased’s information to the Civil Registry Office (equivalent of NADRA) through an automated information system. The Civil Registry automatically records the death, cancels the ID card  and electronically forwards the information to both the medical institution and the Pension department. The medical institution provides the family with two copies of the death certificate, each featuring a QR code that confirms its official authenticity.

The processes described above have been used by sane and people-friendly countries for at least 3 decades.

What stops Pakistan from stepping forward, adopting change and competing with the rest of the world. The ordinary citizens deserve better governance and more conveniences in their daily lives.

Naeem Sadiq

March 20, 2025