National January 20, 2021 LAHORE: Former governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Dr Shamshad Akhtar, said good-quality and open and easy access to statistics and data is critical for Pakistan's sound policy making and project design. She said as country came out of the shadows of the pandemic, digital connectivity to, among others, deepen financial inclusion have emerged to be sustainable solution to reduce poverty and rejuvenate the economy. She expressed these views while addressing as a keynote speaker at a webinar on launch of Karandaaz Data Portal on Pakistanâs Financial Indicators. She observed that the pre-COVID gaps in financial inclusion have been glaring. Dr Shamshad, who is also the Chairperson of Karandaaz Pakistan (KRN), talking about the significance of credible data for policymakers, stated that the KRN working with the government, regulator and all stakeholders to realise the vision of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy and meet the targets of enhancing financial inclusion across gender and geography.