Data-driven technological development essential for country: Ahsan

Islamabad: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that data-driven technological development is essential for country's progress in today’s digital era.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of "DataFest 2025" organized by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in Islamabad today.

Ahsan Iqbal said the government is taking a number of initiatives to integrate data and digital tools into governance, economic planning and national development projects.

He said Pakistan has embarked on the transformative journey which will make the country stand shoulder to shoulder with the comity of nations in technology, innovation and data-driven development.

He said in an increasingly competitive and technologically advanced world, countries that rely on data and innovation will lead global development, while those ignoring it, will lag behind.

Ahsan Iqbal said the government’s vision is to transform Pakistan into a knowledge-based economy, where data analytics, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure form the foundation of future growth.

The Minister also stressed the importance of engaging the youth in this process, describing them as the driving force behind Pakistan’s technological transformation.

He said empowering youth with modern digital skills and providing them with opportunities in the fields of data science, information technology and innovation would enable Pakistan to achieve sustainable progress and global competitiveness. 

Various government departments, private sector companies, and international organizations have established stalls at the ongoing 'DataFest 2025' in Islamabad.

Representatives at the stalls are providing information to visitors and showcasing different innovations and applications related to their respective organizations.

Radio Pakistan has also set up a stall at the event, where its representatives are informing visitors about the digitization of the organization’s archives and its active presence on social media platforms.

Visitors are showing great interest in the stalls and are turning up in large numbers in the festival.