LAHORE, Jul 06 (APP):Federal Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Hafiz Mian Muhammad Nauman, on Monday said political stability is essential for economic development, stressing that strong institutions and consistent policies are key to sustainable growth. Addressing the launch ceremony of the 7th Agricultural Census 2024 Integrated Digital Count Punjab Report at a local hotel, he said political instability in the past had weakened institutions, …
Political Stability Essential for Economic Growth: Mian Nauman
LAHORE, Jul 06 (APP):Federal Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special
Initiatives Hafiz Mian Muhammad Nauman, on Monday said political stability is essential
for economic development, stressing that strong institutions and consistent policies
are key to sustainable growth.
Addressing the launch ceremony of the 7th Agricultural Census 2024 Integrated Digital
Count Punjab Report at a local hotel, he said political instability in the past had weakened institutions,
slowed the country’s development journey and adversely affected the evolution
of public thinking.
Describing the Agricultural Census 2024 as a landmark achievement in Pakistan’s statistical history,
Nauman said the country’s first fully digital agricultural census provides comprehensive and
reliable data on agriculture, livestock and water resources. He said the information would enable governments, researchers, policymakers and development organizations to formulate informed policies, improve resource allocation and promote sustainable economic growth.
Congratulating Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) Chief Statistician Dr Naeem uz Zafar and his team, he expressed hope that the data would contribute significantly to the country’s future development.
Highlighting the importance of agriculture, Nauman said the sector has always been the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and emphasized the need for value addition and modernization to enhance productivity.
He said both the federal and Punjab governments were focusing on the uplift of the agriculture sector by introducing various incentives for farmers. Referring to the recent US-Iran conflict, he said fertilizer shortages had become a major concern for many developing countries, but Pakistan had ensured adequate availability of fertilizers while providing them to farmers at subsidized rates.
The parliamentary secretary said the impression created in the past that Pakistan was on the verge of default had proved incorrect, adding that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the country had overcome multiple economic challenges through sincere and coordinated efforts.
Later, while speaking to the media, Nauman termed the Agricultural Census 2024 a historic milestone, saying it provides baseline data essential for evidence-based policymaking, efficient resource allocation and the formulation of strategies to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.
He said the census would help assess farming practices, livestock populations, farm mechanization, resource utilization and market trends, enabling the government and other stakeholders to address key challenges and identify opportunities for growth. The data, he added, would also be valuable for the private sector.
Speaking on the occasion, PBS Chief Statistician Dr Naeem uz Zafar said the 7th Agricultural Census 2024 (Integrated Digital Count) was conducted through an integrated approach covering agricultural land, crops, livestock and agricultural machinery.
He said the report comprises six chapters, including an introduction, digital innovations, sample design and key indicators related to agriculture, livestock and agricultural machinery.
Dr Zafar said the census employed advanced digital technologies, including tablet-based data collection, geo-tagging of agricultural households, real-time monitoring dashboards, digital maps and task management systems to improve the accuracy and reliability of data collection.
He added that publicity campaigns were conducted through social media, while a hotline-based complaint management system ensured transparency. Several software modules, including a GIS-based dashboard monitoring system and Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) applications, were developed to enhance operational efficiency and data quality.
He said PBS utilized its upgraded in-house data centre to support census operations, reducing costs while ensuring round-the-clock IT support and data security. He also acknowledged the cooperation of provincial administrations in conducting field operations and praised the dedication of enumerators and supervisors who underwent extensive training for the exercise.
James Robert Okoth, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), also addressed the ceremony.
A detailed presentation on the 7th Agricultural Census 2024 was given during the event, while a souvenir was presented to Parliamentary Secretary Hafiz Mian Muhammad Nauman at the conclusion of the ceremony.
