In every country, the first and most important connection between a citizen and the state begins with identity, and this identity starts with birth registration. Birth registration is not just a bureaucratic formality; it is a legal and constitutional act that officially recognizes a child as a member of the state. Unfortunately, many people still consider it optional or secondary, even though it forms the foundation for civil rights, social protection, and good governance.Islam places great importance on identity, lineage, and the rights of children. The Holy Quran emphasizes the dignity of every human being and stresses the protection of lineage so that every person knows their identity, family, and responsibilities. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also highlighted
preserving lineage and fulfilling children’s rights with fairness and justice. A child’s rights begin at birth, including identity, care, education, and protection. Birth registration aligns perfectly with these teachings, connecting faith with modern governance.In Pakistan, registering a child’s birth and issuing a birth certificate is the responsibility of local governments. This process is carried out at the Village and Neighborhood Council level, which serves as the first official link between citizens and the state. Registration requires key information, including the child’s name, gender, date of birth or age, permanent address, and parents’ details. These records become part of the official system and form the legal foundation for the child’s future rights and entitlements.The Constitution of Pakistan ensures that all citizens enjoy basic rights such as equality, dignity, education, health, protection, and fair treatment. However, these rights can only be claimed when a citizen’s identity is officially documented. Without registration, constitutional rights remain theoretical, and the state cannot fully recognize or protect the individual.The Local Government Act empowers councils to register births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, making Village and Neighborhood Councils the foundation of the citizen identity system. The Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Rules 2021 further provide detailed procedures and legal guidelines for birth registration, making timely registration compulsory for every child, regardless of social class, region, or circumstances. CRVS is more than issuing a certificate; it builds a system to verify every citizen’s age, identity, and existence.Parents who fail to register their children on time create serious consequences for both the child and the state. Unregistered children cannot legally prove their age or identity, which limits their access to schools, healthcare, social protection programs, and official identity documents. They are also more vulnerable to early marriage, child labor, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation. For the state, unregistered populations create planning and administrative challenges, making it difficult to allocate resources fairly and implement welfare programs effectively.When a child is registered at birth, they gain access to fundamental rights, including education, healthcare, social protection, identity documents, and political participation. Birth registration is not just a government procedure—it is the first step toward a secure, dignified, and lawful citizen life. The teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, the Constitution of Pakistan, the Local Government Act, and the CRVS Rules 2021 all agree on one point: safeguarding human identity and rights is a shared responsibility of society and the state. Until every child is officially registered at birth, religious obligations and constitutional promises remain incomplete. Birth registration must be treated as a national, legal, and ethical duty, and Village and Neighborhood Councils should be empowered to ensure that every child is recognized and protected.
