Pakistan’s first-ever Data Fest 2024, organized by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), kicked off at the Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad on October 21.
The two-day event, running from October 21-22, brings together a wide array of experts, researchers, and data enthusiasts to emphasize the pivotal role of data in policy development, innovation, and addressing Pakistan’s critical challenges such as healthcare access, social equity, and sustainable development.
The festival is designed to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the development of practical strategies for tackling pressing national issues. It will include keynote speeches from prominent data scientists, statisticians, and IT experts, illustrating how data can drive innovative solutions in governance, policy-making, and beyond.
Ahsan Iqbal envisions $3 Trillion economy for Pakistan in 23 years through data-driven initiatives
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal expressed optimism that Pakistan’s economy could reach $3 trillion within 23 years, positioning the country among the world’s top 10 economies by 2047. Speaking at Data Fest 2024, he emphasized, “Our economy needs reliable data, with which we can measure the direction of progress,” and highlighted that “data science is the core of artificial intelligence,” essential for sustainable economic development.
Iqbal underscored the necessity for continuous policies and data integration to address pressing issues like poverty and education, advocating for a collaborative approach among public and private sectors to foster innovation and ensure the country’s prosperity.
Data Fest 2024
Workshops, exhibitions, and a data visualization competition are also part of the event, providing participants with hands-on experience and insights into the latest data technologies.
A key highlight of the festival is its focus on thematic discussions, with sessions dedicated to areas like governance, climate resilience, and demographic data. Participants will engage in these sessions alongside stakeholders such as NADRA, SUPARCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, and the World Bank.
The event will feature a total of 50 workshops held across six workstations, each covering topics related to data integration and visualization.
Around 80 stalls have been set up by various organizations, showcasing state-of-the-art data products and tools. Among the exhibitors are notable institutions like NADRA, SUPARCO, the Pakistan Software Export Board, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IT Board.
International organizations such as the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank will also contribute to the event, with delegates from countries including the Maldives, Nepal, and Oman in attendance. Virtual presentations from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Iran will further enhance the event’s global perspective.
An incubation center, specially designed for academia and researchers, will serve as a platform for presenting innovative projects utilizing integrated data sets. Institutions like LUMS, FAST, NUST, and Quaid-e-Azam University are participating, along with various foundations and social welfare organizations.
Data Fest 2024 is expected to raise awareness about the importance of data in policy planning, promote collaborations across sectors, and spark innovations in data analytics and visualization. It marks the beginning of future collaborative efforts aimed at leveraging data for societal improvement.