Data Observatory: Sources, Definitions & Methodology
How PPRI compiles, verifies, and maps official public statistics to search intents without fabrication or distortion.
Our Five Principles of Empirical Integrity
1. Primary Official Authority
We prioritize official Pakistani primary sources: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Finance Division, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and National Accounts. Secondary aggregators are strictly cross-checked.
2. Strict Definition Hygiene
We never conflate distinct statistical concepts. Survey estimates (HIES) are strictly separated from census enumerations. Nominal household income is not individual salary, and consumption quintiles are not poverty lines.
3. No Fabricated Numbers
If an official table has not yet been extracted (e.g. PBS Census district workbooks pending XLSX conversion), we explicitly state its pending status rather than guessing or interpolating figures.
4. Search Intent Transparency
Google Year in Search highlights trending queries, not total monthly search volume. We clearly distinguish between trending growth signals and absolute keyword volumes.
Primary Registered Sources
| Source Identifier | Institution / Publisher | Primary Publications & Releases | Official Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBS_CENSUS_2023 | Pakistan Bureau of Statistics | 7th Population and Housing Census 2023 (Table 1, Key Findings) | pbs.gov.pk → |
| PBS_HIES_202425 | Pakistan Bureau of Statistics | Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) 2024–25 (Economic & Social Reports) | pbs.gov.pk/hies → |
| PES_2026_COMPLETE | Ministry of Finance | Pakistan Economic Survey 2025–26 (Complete Chapters & Highlights) | finance.gov.pk → |
| PBS_PRICE | Pakistan Bureau of Statistics | Monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) & Weekly SPI Bulletins | pbs.gov.pk → |
| SBP_EASYDATA | State Bank of Pakistan | EasyData Time Series (Remittances, Trade, Reserves, Exchange Rates) | easydata.sbp.org.pk → |