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ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP):Building on the success of DataFest 2024, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) hosted DataFest 2025 at the Pak-China Friendship Centre here Tuesday, bringing together experts, innovators, policy makers and youth leaders to spotlight the transformative power of data in shaping national development.
Global partners including UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank, FAO, UNHCR and UNDP contributed valuable insights across key areas such as economic growth, environmental resilience, human development, and digital innovation.
Under the theme “Unlocking Tomorrow with AI,” DataFest 2025 advanced the URAAN Pakistan Vision through the 5Es framework – Environment, Economy, Equity, E-Pakistan & Energy. The event emphasized priorities like climate resilience, inclusive education, digital transformation, and human development, promoting data-driven innovation, collaboration, and actionable insights for sustainable progress.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (PD&SI), Prof. Ahsan Iqbal (NI), while speaking on the occasion, emphasized that without data, interactive data tools and evidence-based Policy making, resources cannot be optimized effectively.
He highlighted the importance of evidence-based planning and encouraged the youth to embrace data as the foundation for their future. He appreciated key milestones of PBS such as the Digital Census 2023, South Asia’s first Digital Population and Housing Census, Economic Census and the Agriculture Census.
Secretary (PD&SI) Awais Manzur Sumra praised PBS for completing major national initiatives—the 2023 Population & Housing Census, Economic Census, and Integrated Agricultural Census—and highlighted its leadership in bringing together experts, policymakers, and youth under the 5Es framework. He also acknowledged the participation of international delegations and university students.
Dr. Naeem-uz-Zafar (SI), Chief Statistician, emphasized data as a national asset for informed decision-making and sustainable development, highlighting the need to foster a vibrant culture of data exchange to enhance collaboration and improve lives across sectors.
A workshop on “URAAN Pakistan” featured Chief Transformation Officer Irma Malik, who outlined the initiative’s vision to unite policymakers and experts for data-driven, inclusive growth. Participants discussed the role of technology and analytics in governance. Youth Representative Ali Rafique emphasized peace, harmony, political stability and effective policy implementation as key to national progress.
The session underscored URAAN Pakistan’s focus on evidence-based policymaking, intergovernmental collaboration and inclusive development.
The mega event featured an extensive lineup of activities, including over 60 interactive stalls and 30 thematic workshops, creating a vibrant platform for learning, collaboration, and innovation.
Muhammad Sarwar Gondal (SI), Member (SS/RM), visited the stalls alongside foreign delegates, engaging with exhibitors and appreciating the diverse range of data-driven initiatives on display.
The Youth Data Fair emerged as a highlight, showcasing the creativity and analytical skills of students and young professionals from across Pakistan. Engaging competitions such as the Data Quiz, Poster Display, and Project Presentation further energized the event, encouraging participants to apply complex data insights to practical, real-world solutions.
Muhammad Sarwar Gondal (SI),Member (SS/RM), PBS also addressed the participants of the Inter University Quiz Competition and inauguration of Quarter Final and encouraged them to utilize real and authentic data in their academic projects and research work.
The first day of the feast also featured panel discussion on Rethinking NFC for Equity and Balanced Development: Population Resources and Representation, Ms. Jahan Ara Watto0, Vice Chair person Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA), distributed the shields among panelist and in second panel discussion on From Enrolment To Learning Ensuring Quality Education For All under the theme Social Equity, Muhammad Sarwar Gondal (SI), Member (SS/RM) participated and distributed shields among panelists. In Panel Discussion Diverse participation observed from Development Partners and /academia, Government and Private Sector.
A key highlight of DataFest 2025 was the MoU signing ceremony, where Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) entered into strategic partnerships with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), and the Planning & Development Department, Government of Balochistan.
These MoUs aim to enhance collaboration in data sharing, policy research and innovation, supporting evidence-based decision-making and fostering a stronger, more connected data ecosystem for sustainable national development.
The event brought together national and international stakeholders to advance Pakistan’s data-driven development agenda. Delegations from global statistical organizations and partners such as UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank, FAO, UNHCR, UNDP added valuable regional perspectives and reinforced international collaboration.
Further Representative of NSO Azerbijan attend the fest, Representative of SESRIC and World Pop UK also attended the DataFest 2025. Key public institutions, leading IT and telecom companies and top universities actively participated, highlighting the vital link between data, innovation, and policy.
DataFest 2025 reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to innovation, inclusive growth and sustainable development, anchored in a resilient, future-ready data ecosystem. DataFest 2025 is not just a conference it’s a national movement which opens new ways of data integration for evidence based policy making.