Plan International Pakistan has launched an innovative new project to increase birth registration in Pakistan through the use of mobile phone technology.

The Digital Birth Registration (DBR) project is jointly implemented by Plan International Pakistan in collaboration with provincial local government & health departments initially in district Sujawal and Tando Muhammad Khan in Sindh and district Chiniot in Punjab with the support from local civil society organisations and Telenor as the telecom partner.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, chief guest, Dr Asma Hyder, Member Social Sector, Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform said, “The Government of Pakistan recognises the importance of investment in human capital and that’s why the first pillar of vision 2025 is ‘putting people first’.” She was of the view that it is time to end the blind spots, eliminate the official invisibility and make every person count for the future that we want in Pakistan.

Appreciating the new DBR approach, the chief guest said “Universal education and access to health facilities will only be possible if we have strong CRVS system is in place. And the new digital birth registration system is first step towards achieving that goal.”