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Quetta, A key meeting led by Secretary Local Government Abdul Rauf Baloch and Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq was held to discuss strategies for enhancing birth registration processes in Balochistan. This initiative aims to ensure every child’s right to legal identity and access to social services.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Balochistan, the gathering included representatives from various governmental departments and agencies such as the Health Department, Education Department, and NADRA, as well as international partners like UNICEF. The meeting reviewed the current status of birth registrations and the constitutional mandate provided by the Balochistan Local Government Acts of 2010 and 2020, which assign the responsibility for registration of births, marriages, divorces, and deaths to the Local Government Department.
Discussions highlighted the need for improving departmental coordination and digital data entry processes to streamline and enhance the registration system. The local government is working to expand online services, currently available in 515 out of 1043 union councils, and to increase public awareness about the importance of timely birth registration through various communication channels.
Chairperson NCRC, Ms. Farooq, stressed that securing a child’s legal rights begins with birth registration, which is fundamental for accessing education, healthcare, and inheritance. Secretary Abdul Rauf Baloch emphasized the government’s dedication to this cause and outlined plans to remove any obstacles hindering efficient registration processes.
The officials also proposed waiving the registration fee and extending the standard registration period to encourage compliance. These measures are part of broader efforts to ensure that all children in Balochistan are registered and receive their legal rights from birth.