In a significant move to modernize Pakistan’s data-sharing capabilities, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation in data exchange, capacity building, and information sharing. This strategic partnership, announced at DataFest 2025 held at the Pak-China Center in Islamabad, marks a critical step in advancing Pakistan’s digital transformation and fostering transparency in economic governance.
The primary goal of the MoU is to create a structured framework that enables the automated and secure exchange of verified information between SECP and PBS. By leveraging digital platforms and APIs, the two organizations aim to improve the efficiency and accuracy of data sharing while ensuring compliance with data protection laws. This initiative is expected to promote evidence-based policymaking, facilitate research and statistical analysis, and ultimately provide more reliable economic and business data to policymakers, businesses, and researchers across the country.
Under the agreement, SECP and PBS will collaborate to share essential datasets on business and corporate activities. This will give PBS access to verified business data, which will play a crucial role in improving the accuracy of national accounts and other key statistical reports, such as GDP calculations and industry-specific economic metrics. Access to this high-quality, real-time data is expected to make economic and financial decision-making more accurate and timely, providing a stronger foundation for Pakistan’s economic planning and development strategies.
The partnership also aims to bolster the government’s efforts to create a modern, data-driven governance framework that supports sustainable economic development. By ensuring the free flow of reliable data between public institutions, this collaboration seeks to foster greater transparency and trust in the government’s economic reporting and policy implementation.
One of the key features of the MoU is the commitment to share data through both digital platforms and traditional communication methods. This flexibility is designed to ensure that all stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses, and research institutions, can access and utilize the data in a format that suits their specific needs. With the continued growth of digital tools and platforms in Pakistan, the integration of APIs for data sharing between the SECP and PBS is expected to be a game-changer, improving the timeliness and quality of the data that drives economic decisions.
The SECP-PBS collaboration is not only about improving the accessibility of economic data; it also aligns with Pakistan’s broader goal of digital transformation. Both organizations have expressed their commitment to advancing the country’s digital infrastructure, promoting technological innovations, and enhancing governance processes through data-driven approaches. The MoU will support these objectives by building stronger links between government institutions, improving data availability, and facilitating better decision-making in areas like economic policy, public investment, and corporate governance.
Officials from both SECP and PBS have highlighted that this partnership could serve as a model for future collaborations within the public sector, creating a foundation for ongoing innovations in economic planning and governance. Through continued efforts to integrate and share data effectively, this initiative is expected to enhance the overall quality of governance in Pakistan, paving the way for more sustainable economic growth and development.
In conclusion, the MoU between SECP and PBS marks a key step towards fostering a more transparent, data-driven Pakistan. As both organizations work together to enhance data sharing and digital collaboration, the impact of this partnership will likely resonate across multiple sectors, supporting better governance and more informed decision-making in the years to come.
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