[1] It is an attached department of the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives.

[2] In 1947, the Central Statistical Office (CSO) was set up by the government of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan.

In 1950, CSO became an attached department of the Economic Affairs Division.

In 1972, on the recommendation of IBRD Mission, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto upgraded the Central Statistical Office to a full-fledged government division.

Former Finance Minister Dr. Mahbub ul Haq further reorganized the bureau.