Statistics in planning and development

Everyone related to statistics is likely to remember the year 2013 as the international year of statistics (iys)1 and engage in increasing public awareness of the power and impact of statistics on all aspects of society. statistics has become an integral part of almost all spheres of modern life. it is being increasingly applied for both private and public benefits including business and trade as well as various public sectors,not to mention its crucial role in research and innovative technologies. no modern government could conduct its normal functions and deliver its services and implement its development agenda without relying on good quality statistics. the key role of statistics is more visible and engraved in the planning and development of every successful nation state. in fact,the use of statistics is not only national but also regional,international and transnational for organisations and agencies that are driving social,economic,environmental,health,poverty elimination,education and other agendas for planned development. starting from stocktaking of the state of the health of various sectors of the economy of any nation/region to setting development goals,assessment of progress,monitoring programs and undertaking follow-up initiatives depend heavily on relevant statistics. only statistical methods are capable of determining indicators,comparing them,and help identify the ways to ensure balanced and equitable development. © 2013 pakistan journal of statistics.