Maryam Nawaz: Timely Registration Key to Protecting Civil Rights
In a major step towards citizen facilitation, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the complete abolition of fees for birth and death registrations across the province. Under the new policy, residents can now register these events free of charge and receive computerised certificates at no cost.
The initiative comes as part of the implementation of the newly introduced Birth and Death Registration Rules 2025, aimed at simplifying and digitizing essential civil services for the public.
As per the new rules, citizens can register births and deaths without any charges at their respective union councils or municipal committees—within a period of seven years from the date of the event. Furthermore, in a major relief for those with delayed registrations, the government has removed the earlier requirement of obtaining a court decree.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the significance of this decision, stating, “Identity is a fundamental right of every citizen. Our goal is to make essential services more accessible and efficient for the people of Punjab.” She further noted that digital birth and death certificates have now become mandatory to access a variety of government services in the province.
“Citizens can ensure the protection of their civil rights by registering births and deaths in a timely manner,” she added.
The policy is seen as part of the Punjab government’s broader vision to digitize public services and improve convenience for citizens through streamlined, cost-free processes.
