ISLAMABAD, Jul 29 (Alliance News) – Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the crucial role of authentic data in achieving national development and prosperity during the “Dialogue on Data for Development:
Enabling People-Centric Development Planning in Pakistan,” organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Monday.
Addressing the event, Iqbal highlighted how data is driving a global strategic revolution and stressed the importance of prioritizing data availability and utilization in national development goals. He reflected on the historical efforts of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in advancing data infrastructure.
Iqbal recalled that the PML-N government established the National Database Organization in 1998, recognizing the future value of creating a comprehensive citizen data bank. This initiative led to the creation of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), making Pakistan one of the first countries to implement such a system.
He also mentioned several key initiatives by the PML-N government, including the establishment of the National Center for Excellence in Big Data and Cloud Computing, National Centers for Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Applied Mathematics, Satellite Technology, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These efforts were aimed at advancing Pakistan’s capabilities in various technological fields.
Additionally, Iqbal highlighted the distribution of millions of laptops to students across public and private universities, which facilitated Internet access and online education, helping Pakistan become the third-largest freelancing country in the world. The launch of 3G and 4G networks between 2013 and 2018 and the extension of fiber optics from China also contributed to a digital revolution in Pakistan.
However, Iqbal expressed regret that there had been no significant progress in national development since 2018 due to obstacles impeding the development process. He noted that Pakistan’s recent launch of its second communication satellite in May 2024, with assistance from China, aimed to enhance Internet availability in remote areas.
The planning minister underscored the need to boost the country’s exports, which he said requires accurate and effective use of data. He described data as the “fuel of the knowledge economy,” essential for transforming Pakistan into a knowledge-driven economy.
Iqbal’s remarks underscore the ongoing importance of leveraging data to drive national development and enhance economic growth, positioning data utilization as a key component of Pakistan’s strategic planning and progress.
