Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the upcoming Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) DataFest 2024.
The meeting, attended by key officials including Secretary Planning, Awais Manzur Sumra, and Chief Statistician, Dr. Naeem uz Zafar, focused on ensuring the success of the event, which aims to promote data literacy and foster innovation through the strategic use of data.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of empowering decisions with data to drive Pakistan’s progress in all sectors. “Data is the backbone of informed decision-making,” he said, stressing the need to leverage data to unlock the nation’s full potential.
One of the key directives from the Planning Minister was the publication of provincial-level data reports based on the 7th Population & Housing Census 2023. These reports will help paint a clearer picture of the socio-economic landscape of the provinces and provide a basis for informed policy planning.
The Minister underscored the importance of involving key stakeholders, including AI experts and universities, in the DataFest 2024. He emphasized the need to bridge the gap between data and technology by engaging stakeholders from academia and the AI sector to explore innovative solutions for national development.
Professor Iqbal directed that special efforts be made to include university students in the DataFest 2024, encouraging them to participate in data competitions and apply PBS datasets in creative ways. This initiative will play a critical role in engaging youth in productive activities and enhancing their skills for the future.
The Minister 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.
