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ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP):Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday inaugurated the two-day DataFest 2025 – “From Numbers to Lives”-– aimed at advancing the vision of URAAN Pakistan by fostering dialogue on critical national themes including the Environment, Economy, E-Pakistan and Social Equity to shape actionable strategies for a prosperous and inclusive future.
The event, organized by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), builds on the success of last year’s DataFest 2024 and underscores the government’s commitment to promoting data integration, innovation and evidence-based policy-making for sustainable progress.
The minister also unveiled trophies for the intra-university quiz, poster, and project display competitions being held under the theme “Unlocking Tomorrow with AI.” These contests aim to engage students and young professionals in applying data-driven insights to real-world development challenges.
Appreciating the efforts of PBS, Ahsan Iqbal said that the initiative reflected Pakistan’s growing capacity to use data and artificial intelligence (AI) for informed decision-making, improved governance, and efficient public service delivery.
He said the government was investing in data infrastructure and digital tools to ensure that accurate and timely information guided national planning and policy implementation.
“DataFest 2025, as a vibrant expression of the URAAN Pakistan vision, symbolizes our collective stride toward a digitally empowered, knowledge-driven, and inclusive future,” he remarked.
Highlighting the importance of authentic data and effective dashboards in shaping public policy, the minister said that no country could achieve sustainable development and prosperity without these essential elements.
“A country’s development journey is purposeless without data optimization, dashboards, direction, and resources – just as a motorist cannot reach the destination without signboards, milestones and accurate directions,” he added.
The two-day DataFest 2025 – “Unlocking Tomorrow with AI” – focuses on how data can address Pakistan’s challenges in governance, economic management, and social development while promoting public awareness of data-driven innovation and evidence-based policy-making to build a stronger, more resilient future.
The two-day event would also feature a diverse range of thematic engagements and activities, highlighting Pakistan’s digital and data-driven transformation. The thematic areas include URAAN Pakistan, environment with a focus on disaster risk and climate resilience, economy emphasizing data for growth and investment, social equity covering health, education and resource distribution, and E-Pakistan centered on the data ecosystem, AI and communication.
The event will further host panel discussions, keynote speeches, workshops and data product displays, along with specialized seminars, stalls and exhibitions.
To encourage youth participation, a quiz, poster and project display competition will be organized on the occasion.