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DataFest 2025, organized by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on 11–12 November 2025 at the Pak -China Friendship Centre, Islamabad, showcased Pakistan’s ongoing progress toward AI -driven governance, innovation, and data-driven decision-making under the “URAAN Pakistan” vision for a digitally empowered future. The two -day festival brought together policymakers, statisticians, researchers, academicians, and students through six thematic panel discussions, 78 specialized workshops, and inter-university quiz and poster competitions, providing a platform to exchange ideas, demonstrate technical skills, and explore innovative solutions for national development challenges. During the event, PBS formalized partnerships through MoUs with 13 leading organizations and launched two advanced digital dashboards design ed to provide real-time analytics, spatial insights, and interactive visualization tools to aid effective planning and policy formulation. Several major surveys and approvals marked the period, including the Labour Force Survey (LFS) 2024–25, which reported a 46.3% participation rate, a 7.1% unemployment rate, and first -time estimates on the gig economy and unpaid domestic work, highlighting evolving employment patterns. The Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) 2024–25, approved in December 2025, revealed significant improvements in digital access, educational attainment, household incomes, and declining infant and neonatal mortality rates, reflecting social development gains. The National Accounts Committee (NAC) also approved revised GDP growth rates of 2.58% for FY 2024 and 3.04% for FY 2025, providing a reliable basis for economic policy and fiscal planning. Strategic and institutional initiatives were further highlighted, including the ongoing review of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) 2025 –2030, aimed at integrating artificial intelligence, big data, and modern data technologies into Pakistan’s statistical system while ensuring practical, locally implementable solutions. International collaboration was strengthened through a five -day FAO training on agricultural SDG indicators and the finalization of questionnaire modules for the upcoming Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2026, underscoring PBS’s commitment to building a globally aligned, modern statistical framework. Awareness and outreach initiatives in cluded nationwide walks marking International Statistics Day, emphasizing the critical role of reliable, high-quality data in evidence-based policymaking and sustainable national development. Economic and social statistics were also highlighted, with general inflation for July–December 2025 reported at approximately 5.15%. Efforts toward social equity continued, focusing on gender data standardization and the upcoming release of socio -economic indicators for the districts of Sindh, further supporting data - driven regional planning. Overall, DataFest 2025 reinforced PBS’s commitment to modern, evidence -based policymaking, international collaboration, and the development of a robust, high -quality statistical system capable of supporting sustainable development, inclusive growth, and effective governance in Pakistan. .. .. 28TH ISSUE OF PBS NEWS BULLETIN Pakistan Bureau of Statistics 3
DATAFEST 2025 “From Numbers To Lives” DataFest 2025 was a flagship national event organized by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) to promote AI Based data-driven governance, innovation, and collaboration in Pakistan. Held at the Pak-China Friendship Centre, Islamabad, the two-day festival brought together policymakers, international organizations, academia, private sector leaders, researchers, and students under one dynamic platform. Aligned with the national vision of URAAN Pakistan, DataFest 2025 focused on strengthening the country’s data ecosystem through panel discussions, technical workshops, academic competitions, innovation showcases, and institutional partnerships. The event emphasized the role of data, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in driving inclusive growth, climate resilience, and social equity. With strong national and international participation, the signing of key MoUs, and vibrant youth engagement activities, DataFest 2025 reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and a digitally empowered future. Following the resounding success of last year’s edition, DataFest 2025 emerged as Pakistan’s largest and most dynamic data and innovation festival. Grand Inauguration by Federal Minister PD&SI Prof. Ahsan Iqbal. The First day of festival commenced on 11th November 2025, with a formal inauguration by Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (PD&SI). Addressing a distinguished gathering of government officials, development partners, academia, and youth, the Minister highlighted the transformative role of data in shaping Pakistan’s economic and social future.
He praised PBS for spearheading initiatives such as the Digital Census 2023, Agricultural Census and Economic Census and emphasized that data literacy and innovation are central to the vision of “URAAN Pakistan.” He encouraged young professionals and students to harness the power of analytics, artificial intelligence, and research to drive national progress. .. ..
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On the second day on 12th November 2025, Mr. Awais Manzur Sumra, Secretary PD&SI, inaugurated the GIS Dashboard and Pakistan Spatial Insight Dashboard— milestones in strengthening real -time analytics and digital governance.
During his visit, he toured thematic stalls and interactive workshops, commending PBS and partners for building a cohesive national data ecosystem. The launch symbolized Pakistan’s steady transition toward technology-driven planning and transparent governance. Six High-Impact Panel Discussions A total of six thematic panel discussions were held, aligned with national priorities and the URAAN Pakistan vision. Experts from government, academia, private sector, and international organizations deliberated on: The following themes along with the topic of panel discussion were conducted.
PANEL DISCUSSION 1:
Rethinking NFC for equity and balanced
development
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) hosted a
high-level panel discussion on “Rethinking NFC for
Equity and Balanced Development: Population,
Resources and Representation” during DataFest
2025. The session, focused on Social Equity –
Health, Education & Resource Distribution, brought
together policymakers, economists, statisticians, and
development partners to discuss modernizing and
strengthening Pakistan’s fiscal allocation system.
Shields of appreciation were presented to key contributors, including Dr. Naeem Zafar, Mr. Sakib Sheerani, Mr. Vaqar Ahmed, and Dr. Ashfaque Hasan Khan, with special recognition for the continued support of UNFPA, Canada, and the Netherlands.
THEME 1: Social Equity: Data for equity governance and resource allocation .. .. 28TH ISSUE OF PBS NEWS BULLETIN Pakistan Bureau of Statistics 5
THEME 2: Economy: Data for Growth, Productivity, Trade & Investment
The session concluded that data -driven NFC reform
is essential for equitable provincial development,
improved governance, and sustainable socio -
economic growth in Pakistan, ensuring balanced
resource distribution across regions.
PANEL DISCUSSION 2:
Education: From enrollment to learning
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) hosted a
high-level panel discussion titled “From Enrollment
to Learning: Ensuring Quality Education for All in
Pakistan” as part of Data Fest 2025. The session
focused on addressing the nation’s education
crisis, with over 25 million children out of school
and widespread learning poverty among enrolled
students.
Ms. Rabia Awan (DDG, PBS) Moderator: Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmed (HI), Chairperson, Punjab Higher Educatio n Commission Ms. Sharmeela Rassool, Deputy Representative Programmes, UNICEF stressed that reliable, disaggregated, and timely data is crucial for monitoring progress and guiding interventions. Dr. Shahid Soroya (PIE) and Mr. Aftab Alam (Sindh SEMIS/GIS) highlighted the importance of integrating national assessments, EMIS, and citizen -led surveys like ASER to track learning outcomes and support targeted resource allocation. The panel concluded with a strong consensus that data-driven, equity-focused reforms are essential to ensure quality education for all . Participants emphasized the need for stronger federal-provincial coordination, digitization of education systems, improved accountability mechanisms, and targeted interventions to reduce learning poverty and strengthen Pakistan’s human capital. Shields of appreciation were presented to the panelists, recognizing their valuable contributions and insights in advancing evidence -based education reform and policy dialogue. The session highlighted that through coordinated action, innovative strategies, and data-led decision- making, Pakistan can achieve meaningful progress toward SDG 4: Quality Education and promote inclusive and sustainable development.
PANEL DISCUSSION 3: From Data to Evidence for job creation A panel discussion titled “From Data to Evidence for Job Creation” was held in November 2025 under the thematic area Data for Growth and Investment. The session highlighted how robust labour market data and innovative analytical tools can support evidence- based policymaking for employment generation in Pakistan’s evolving and largely informal economy. Key findings from the Labour Force Survey 2024–25, conducted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, were presented, providing an updated overview of labour market dynamics.
The discussion also emphasized the use of
complementary data sources such as the World
Bank Enterprise Surveys and the Global Labour
Force Database, highlighting the importance of data
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integration and public-private collaboration to identify emerging job opportunities and inform strategies for employment and entrepreneurship. The discussion concludes with a summary emphasizing the need for continued dialogue and collaboration among all stakeholders to leverage data for effective job creation policies in Pakistan. PANEL DISCUSSION 4. Strengthening Pakistan’s Agriculture: Boosting productivity and competitiveness in crops and livestock through technology, policy and Innovation. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) hosted an insightful panel discussion on “Strengthening Pakistan’s Agriculture: Boosting Productivity and Competitiveness in Crops and Livestock through Technology, Policy, and Innovation” as part of Data Fest 2025. The session was chaired by Mr. Attiq Ur Rehman (DDG, National Accounts, PBS) and brought together experts from government, academia, and international organizations.
Agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing 23% to GDP and supporting millions of rural livelihoods. Yet low productivity, climate-related stress, livestock diseases, and weak market linkages continue to challenge the sector. Panelists highlighted the urgent need to improve wheat productivity , reduce post -harvest losses, strengthen storage infrastructure, and enhance livestock and crop competitiveness to ensure national food security and sustainable growth. Ms. Amina Bajwa, Head of Programmes, FAO-Pakistan, emphasized the importance of integrating technology, policy reforms, and grassroots innovation to build a climate-resilient agriculture sector. She noted that modern tools, such as satellite -based monitoring, digital traceability systems, and predictive analytics, are essential to optimize water usage, improve yields, and stabilize markets.
The discussion highlighted the pivotal role of local -
level data and evidence -driven decision -making.
Strengthening institutions to collect socio -economic
and environmental information allows for real-time
interventions, better credit and insurance access for
smallholders, and targeted support to vulnerable
communities. Dr. Naveed Iqbal from JACC, PBS,
presented findings from the 7th Agriculture Census
2024, underscoring gaps in production data and
areas for capacity building.
The panel concluded that technology, data, and
policy innovation are essential to modernize Pakistan’s
agriculture sector. Coordinated efforts can boost
productivity, stabilize markets, enhance livelihoods,
and ensure food security. Panelists emphasized that
evidence-based planning and digital empowerment at
the grassroots level are critical for building a resilient
and competitive agricultural economy.
PANEL DISCUSSION 5: Strengthening disaster risk, preparedness and insurance mechanism in Pakistan This panel will bring together government institutions, development partners, financial bodies, academia, THEME 3: Environment: Disaster risk, climate change & adaptation .. .. 28TH ISSUE OF PBS NEWS BULLETIN Pakistan Bureau of Statistics 7
and humanitarian actors to explore practical solutions
for strengthening Pakistan’s climate resilience through
preparedness, effective response systems, resilient
growth, improved data systems, and climate -smart
agriculture.
• Review Pakistan’s current disaster risk assess-
ment and preparedness mechanisms.
• Examine operational systems activated during
and after disasters.
• Identify pathways for rapid and resilient recov-
ery, including insurance and climate finance.
• Improve data accessibility and cross-sectoral co-
ordination.
• Highlight resilience needs in agriculture and ag-
ricultural insurance.
The panel discussion concluded with a strong
consensus that Pakistan must urgently strengthen
its communication systems, enhance institutional
coordination, and adopt long -term preparedness
strategies to effectively respond to rising climate and
disaster risks. Experts emphasized the importance of
making early warnings accessible to communities,
improving governance structures particularly at the
district level and integrating climate adaptation and
risk-financing mechanisms, including insurance, into
national planning frameworks.
Panelists noted that while Pakistan possesses adequate data, technical tools, and institutional structures, the key challenge lies in effective implementation, stronger accountability, and timely decision-making. Echoing the keynote speaker’s observation that “climate change is a risk multiplier,” the session concluded with a collective call for coordinated action, evidence -based policymaking, and sustained collaboration among government institutions, develo pment partners, and local communities to build a more resilient and climate - ready Pakistan.
PANEL DISCUSSION 6: Data to decisions by integrating AI and big data for Pakistan’s Statistical future. The panels fostered cross -sector collaboration and offered practical insights for bridging policy gaps through reliable data systems. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) hosted a high-level and thought -provoking panel discussion titled “Data to Decisions: Integrating AI & Big Data THEME 4: E-Pakistan: NSS, Communication, big data and artificial intelligence (AI) .. .. 28TH ISSUE OF PBS NEWS BULLETIN Pakistan Bureau of Statistics 8
for Pakistan’s Statistical Future” during Data Fest 2025 at its headquarters in Islamabad. The session brought together leading experts, policymakers, and data professionals to deliberate on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data can transform Pakistan’s statistical ecosystem and strengthen evidence-based policymaking.
The discussion commenced with welcoming remarks by Mr. Syed Abdul Qader Shah, Director General (Economic Statistics), PBS, who also served as the focal person for the session. He warmly welcomed the distinguished panelists, experts, and participants, highlighting the significance of innovation, technology, and institutional collaboration in strengthening Pakistan’s data governance framework. He also appreciated the participation of experts and stakeholders who contributed their knowledge and experience to the important national dialogue. Setting the tone for the discussion, the moderator reflected on the unprecedented expansion of global data generation and the increasing need for AI-driven tools to manage and analyze this vast volume of information. The moderator noted that the scale and speed of modern data production now far exceed the limits of traditional human-driven analysis, making advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Big Data analytics essential for modern statistical systems. The discussion underscored the need for Pakistan to move beyond traditional data systems toward AI-enabled platforms capable of real-time analysis and decision support. Experts highlighted the emerging concept of “Agentic AI,” where intelligent systems can autonomously analyze data, interact through digital platforms, and support timely governance decisions. Panelists stressed the importance of integrating diverse datasets, promoting ethical and transparent AI governance, strengthening national capacity in data science and AI, and fostering collaboration among government, academic partners, development partners, and the private sector. Overall, the session concluded that the effective integration of AI and Big Data is essential for modernizing Pakistan’s statistical system and enabling data-driven governance. .. ..