No More Birth Registration Fee in Punjab soon bringing relief for Parents

LAHORE – For parents, registering newborn’s birth long meant another fee to pay alongside many expenses after childbirth. That burden may soon be ending, as the Punjab government moves to permanently end birth registration fees at Union Councils, paving the way for free registration across the province after cabinet approval. Maryam Nawaz led provincial government decided to end birth registration fee at Union Councils, making it easier than ever for parents to register their children’s births without any financial burden. Local Government Department prepared summary and forwarded it to provincial cabinet for final approval. Once the cabinet gives the green light, birth registration at all Union Councils across Punjab will become completely free of charge. The move is aimed at encouraging parents to register their children promptly while reducing the financial burden on households. Officials say birth registration is a child’s fundamental legal right, providing access to a legal identity, education, healthcare, and a wide range of government services. Punjab government earlier waived the registration fee for one year on a temporary basis. However, in view of the positive public response and the need to improve registration rates, the government has now decided to make the exemption permanent. Local Government Department said the summary submitted to the cabinet describes the fee abolition as a public welfare measure that will provide direct relief to citizens and help ensure that more children are registered within the prescribed timeframe. A formal notification will be issued in coming weels after which the decision will be implemented across all Union Councils in Punjab. The initiative will not only simplify registration process for parents but also improve the province’s population database, strengthen public policy planning, and ensure that more children can access their legal rights and essential government services from an early age. Th