Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Reviews Preparations for PBS DataFest 2024 | Empowering Decisions with Data

Islamabad, October 2, 2024 – Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparations for the upcoming PBS DataFest 2024. The meeting, held at Islamabad, was attended by key officials including Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, Chief Statistician Dr. Naeem uz Zafar, and Muhammad Sarwar Gondal, Member SS/RM. The discussion focused on ensuring the success of the event, which aims to unleash the power of data for development.

The DataFest 2024 is set to be a pivotal national event, designed to promote data literacy and foster innovation, integration, and growth through the strategic use of data. During the meeting, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that empowering decisions with data is key to driving Pakistan’s progress in all sectors. “Data is the backbone of informed decision-making, and it is critical that we leverage it to unlock the full potential of our nation,” said the Minister.

One of the central directives from the Planning Minister was the publication of provincial-level data reports based on 7th population &Housibg Censis 2023 the first ever Digital Census, . These reports may be launched at provincial headquarter to to spur debate and drive local policy development . This will help paint a clearer picture of the socio-economic landscape of the province and provide basis for informed policy planning

Prof. Iqbal further underscored the importance of involving key stakeholders, including AI experts and universities, in the event. “Data is the foundation of Artificial Intelligence, and through this festival, we aim to bridge the gap between data and technology by engaging stakeholders from academia and the AI sector to explore innovative solutions for national development.”

The Minister directed that special efforts be made to include university students in the DataFest 2024, encouraging them to participate in data competitions that will challenge them to apply PBS datasets in creative ways. This initiative, he noted, will play a critical role in engaging youth in productive activities and enhancing their skills for the future.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal reiterated that data is a fundamental tool for economic policy formulation and development. By integrating census data with Artificial Intelligence, Pakistan can design policies that address socio-economic challenges, particularly those affecting the youth, and contribute to sustainable national growth.