Latest news with #LUMS
Business Recorder
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
National Open Data Portal launched
LAHORE: The National Center in Big Data and Cloud Computing (NCBC) at LUMS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (MoPD&SI), hosted the Pakistan Open Data Conference 2025 in Islamabad. The event marked a pivotal moment in the country's digital transformation journey with the official launch of the National Open Data Portal (NODP). This first-of-its-kind portal, developed by NCBC at LUMS, will serve as Pakistan's central platform for public access to government datasets across vital sectors such as health, education, economy, environment, infrastructure, and demographics. The portal is designed to promote transparency, empower researchers and civil society, and enable data-driven policymaking and innovation. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary inaugurated the portal and commended the achievement of the NCBC and the LUMS team in making this national platform a reality. He noted that it was a great privilege to be part of the journey that led to the establishment of NCBC, which he said has played a pivotal role in building local capacity in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. He stated that 'Pakistan's development narrative will now be written in code and understood through data,' adding that leveraging digital tools is no longer optional but an urgent national priority. He emphasized that the launch of the National Open Data Portal marks another major milestone, one that will empower policymakers, researchers, and the public by providing access to valuable, structured datasets across key sectors supporting better decision-making, innovation, and transparency for a stronger, more data-informed Pakistan. Ahsan Iqbal concluded with a powerful message: 'In a rapidly digitizing world, it is no longer enough to make declarations – we must deliver results. Let us unite – government, academia, industry, and our youth – to build a data-smart, cloud-enabled, globally competitive Pakistan. The launch of the National Open Data Portal is not the conclusion – it is the beginning of a new era'. Dr Naveed Arshad, Director of NCBC at LUMS, welcomed participants by highlighting the strategic importance of open data in enabling a digitally empowered Pakistan. He remarked that 'data is the new oil but unlike oil, the more we share it, the more value we unlock.' He added that the launch of the Open Data Portal is a critical investment in transparency, knowledge-sharing, and innovation for Pakistan's digital future. Reflecting on the establishment of NCBC at LUMS in 2018, made possible through the generous support of the Government of Pakistan, he shared that working alongside 12 partner institutions across the country has been a journey of collective growth and technical excellence. He acknowledged the dedication of all contributors to the effort, emphasizing that their commitment deserves the highest appreciation and recognition. The conference brought together senior stakeholders from government, academia, development partners, and the tech industry for strategic discussions on the role of open data in advancing inclusive development. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
06-06-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
The darkness we need
The writer is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad. She is a LUMS and Warwick alumnus Listen to article During a recent visit to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, I found myself standing before an exhibit of darkness. It showed how the natural night sky, once scattered with stars and galaxies, is vanishing under the steady glare of artificial light. In Pakistan, this issue rarely enters public discourse. We worry about electricity shortages, rising bills and climate change — but we seldom pause to consider how light itself, when misused, becomes pollution. Yet, in cities like Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, the stars have all but disappeared. What we once took for granted such as seeing constellations from a rooftop or watching a shooting star is now a fading memory, especially for children growing up under the sodium glow of streetlamps. Light pollution is more than a loss of wonder. It has measurable and growing impacts. Studies around the world show that excessive artificial light disrupts ecosystems by confusing migratory birds, insects and nocturnal animals. It alters feeding and breeding cycles and can even lead to species decline. For humans, the consequences are subtler but significant: overexposure to night-time lighting disturbs sleep, suppresses melatonin and contributes to increased rates of anxiety, fatigue and chronic illness. Then there is the energy question. Pakistan already struggles to meet its power demand. In this context, the sight of government buildings lit up through the night, of empty roads aglow at 3am, or of high-wattage billboards bathing intersections in harsh white light, is not just inefficient — it is irresponsible. Every unnecessary bulb draws from a grid under pressure, burns fuel and adds to carbon emissions. But this is not a hopeless story. Unlike other forms of pollution that linger in the air or water for years, light pollution is reversible — almost instantly. Cities can begin by adopting time-based lighting policies. Shops, billboards and public buildings do not need to be illuminated through the night. Smart lighting systems used in countries like the Netherlands dim streetlights in low-traffic areas after peak hours. This reduces energy usage and restores a semblance of night. Likewise, replacing current flood lights and streetlamps with shielded fixtures that direct light downward — not outward or upward — can dramatically reduce skyglow. Local governments can also reconsider how they retrofit cities with LED lighting. While LEDs are promoted for efficiency, their widespread, high-intensity use has worsened glare and disrupted the sleep cycles of both humans and animals. The solution isn't to reject LEDs but to use them wisely: warmer tones (below 3000K) should be prioritised, and installation must be coupled with shielding and dimming controls. Pakistan's natural landscape offers an incredible opportunity as well. Remote regions like Skardu, Hunza and Cholistan Desert already enjoy dark skies — these could be declared Dark Sky Reserves under international guidelines. Protected from over-illumination, these zones could foster astro tourism and conservation education, while showcasing the natural night sky to a global audience. Public awareness is perhaps the most powerful tool. School science programmes can introduce students to the science of stars and the need to preserve them. National campaigns, led by institutions like the Pakistan Science Foundation or SUPARCO, could highlight the connection between energy saving and sky restoration. Even small acts such as turning off garden lights or switching off billboard lights after hours make a difference when multiplied across a city. When I left the Smithsonian that day, I thought about my own country — and how a return to darkness might be, paradoxically, an act of light. In our drive toward progress, we often equate more light with more development. But maybe it's time to challenge that assumption. Not all darkness is backward, and not all light is good. Some light blinds. Some darkness reveals. In rediscovering the stars, we might just rediscover a more thoughtful, balanced way of living.
Business Recorder
31-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
LUMS hosts 8th edition of design conference ‘UX Pakistan 2025'
LAHORE: The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) recently hosted the 8th edition of UX Pakistan 2025, the country's largest and longest-running design conference, bringing together a vibrant assembly of designers, technologists, educators, and thought leaders from across Pakistan and beyond. With the theme 'Design for Social Impact', the two-day event marked a pivotal moment in the national discourse on design, positioning it not just as an aesthetic tool but as a strategic force for societal transformation. This year's conference featured design leaders challenging the status quo, urging a shift from traditional, surface-level interpretations of design toward its strategic application in addressing Pakistan's most pressing challenges—from inclusive education and public health to climate resilience and equitable urban development. Design in Pakistan has evolved beyond simply creating user interfaces; it now encompasses systems thinking, strategic planning, and a focus on social equity. The UX Pakistan conference serves as a call to action, aiming to establish design as a vital driver of human-centered innovation across both public and private sectors. Now a cornerstone initiative in the local design ecosystem, UX Pakistan began as a student-led movement at LUMS and has evolved into a national platform for design discourse and action. This year's conference not only featured keynote presentations and panel discussions by influential speakers but also served as the launch pad for Design for Pakistan, an impactful new initiative aimed at institutionalising design-led thinking and practice across academia, government, and industry. Design for Pakistan aims to move beyond advocacy by establishing a practical, actionable framework for integrating design into national development. It will focus on modernising academic curricula, launching design fellowships, building cross-sector partnerships, and supporting governments in co-creating public services grounded in empathy and real-world context. In a country where Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remain an urgent priority, the event spotlighted how design can serve as a practical, iterative tool to shape localised solutions that are both intelligent and scalable. As Pakistan continues to navigate complex social, economic, and environmental challenges, UX Pakistan 2025 has reemphasised the need to cultivate a national design culture—one that is rooted in local context and driven by impact, not imitation. With the excitement of this year's conference still strong, the message from LUMS is clear: Pakistan doesn't need to catch up with global design trends; it needs to chart its own path, and the time to do that is now. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt official martyred in Surab terror siege
During the attack, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Hidayat Baloch Buledi stood his ground to protect others, ultimately sacrificing his life in the line of duty. PHOTO: Listen to article A senior district administration official was martyred after heavily armed terrorists, belonging to Fitna al Hindustan, launched a coordinated attack on a bank and the residences of government officers in Surab, Balochistan, officials said on Friday. Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the provincial government, and Hamza Shafqaat, the commissioner of Quetta, confirmed that Hidayatullah Buledi, the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Surab district, was martyred while fighting the terrorists. Officials and witnesses stated that 20 to 30 terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan entered the market of Surab city on motorcycles in the evening and targeted soft civilian areas such as banks and markets. Ordinary Baloch women and children were also attacked in the market, they added. "Heavily armed militants launched a coordinated assault on a bank and the residences of senior government officers in Surab Bazaar," spokesperson Rind said in a statement. "The attackers looted the bank and set fire to several official residences," he added. During the attack, Rind said, ADC Revenue Hidayatullah Baloch Buledi was martyred while resisting the terrorists. He said that women and children were present in the ADC's residence at the time of the assault. However, despite the presence of his family members, Buledi stood firm against the attackers. He paid rich tribute to Buledi, saying that the ADC fought valiantly to protect Baloch children and women from the terrorists and ultimately laid down his life in the line of duty. "He has set a new example of bravery by sacrificing his life for the nation," Rind said. "Deputy Commissioner Surab compound was attacked. Unfortunately, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr Hidayat Buledi embraced martyrdom. The attack was carried out by Fitna al Hindustan. Mr Buledi was a LUMS alumnus. Levies and other law enforcement agencies valiantly fought them back," Shafqaat tweeted. According to Rind, the attack was not a random act of violence but part of a calculated attempt to destabilise the province. "This operation was carried out by Indian-backed proxies. It is a clear effort to challenge the state's authority and spread fear," he asserted. "By targeting Baloch areas and Baloch women and children, Fitna al Hindustan has once again proven that these Indian-sponsored terrorists have no connection with Balochistan and Baloch traditions," the spokesperson stated. "Indian proxies have taken action on their orders." Security forces, including the Frontier Corps (FC), police and Levies, promptly reached the spot and launched a joint clearance operation. "Search and clearance operations are ongoing, and the enemies of peace will be brought to justice," the spokesperson said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the cowardly attack on innocent citizens, officers of the administration, and a bank by terrorists in Surab. He paid tribute to ADC Hidayatullah Buledi for embracing martyrdom while defending his area from terrorists. The prime minister expressed sympathy with the bereaved family members of the martyr. "ADC Hidayatullah Buledi set an example of bravery while fighting against the terrorists. The sympathies of the whole nation are with the family of the martyred," he said in a statement. Shehbaz said that terrorists had targeted innocent and unarmed citizens, including children and women. "The attack by cowardly terrorists on the citizens and their properties is openly and evidently reflective of their animosity towards the people and the progress of Balochistan," he said. "The war against terrorists will continue until their complete elimination from the country. The armed forces of Pakistan are working day and night to exterminate the proxies who are spreading terrorism in Pakistan under the patronage of India," the prime minister stated. "The whole nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in completely wiping out the elements involved in terrorism with the abetment of India." He directed that the persons involved in the incident be identified and given exemplary punishment. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's power sector indigenization need of the hour: Awais Leghari
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division), Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said on Saturday that government is striving for exports-oriented economy instead of imports and power sector indigenization is need of the hour. He added that power sector reforms are going on, while independent system and market operator has been fully functional and Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company will also be made functional soon. He was addressing through a video link the national consultative workshop on 'Power Sector Indigenization Road Map' jointly hosted by National Grid Company (NGC), formerly NTDC, and LUMS (Lahore University of Management Sciences) Energy Institute here at the LUMS campus. The event brought together senior leadership from the power sector, manufacturing industry, regulatory bodies, policymakers and academia to chart a cohesive national strategy for accelerating the localization of Pakistan's electrical power equipment manufacturing ecosystem. The Federali Minister commended the joint initiative, stating, 'NGC is the first national entity to implement an approved Indigenization Policy, and its strategic procurement model is already delivering tangible results'. He urged WAPDA, DISCOs (Distribution Companies), KE (Karachi Electric), and state-owned and private power generation plants to adopt indigenization as a strategic imperative—not as CSR, but as a core procurement principle aligned with the National Electricity Plan 2023–2027. A key milestone of the workshop was the launch of Pakistan's first Power Equipment Manufacturing Dashboard, developed by the LUMS Energy Institute with input from power sector stakeholders. This real-time digital tool will monitor localization progress, assess vendor capacity, and identify strategic investment opportunities under the Power Sector Indigenization Plan (PSIP). The dashboard was jointly inaugurated by Dr. Fiaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Chairman NGC Board of Directors, and Senior Advisor at the LUMS Energy Institute, Pakistan Engineering Council Chairman Engineer Waseem Nazir, Managing Director NGC Engineer Muhammad Waseem Younas, CEO K-Electric Syed Monis Abdullah Alvi and others. About the Dashboard, Federal Minister said that the launch of this dashboard is a welcome step and it will help in power sector indigenization. Dr Fiaz Chaudhry stated, 'NGC's indigenization strategy—anchored in policy reform and targeted educational orders—has already saved over USD 10 million in foreign exchange through import substitution.' He reaffirmed that LUMS will continue supporting policy design, digital innovation, and institutional transformation in the energy sector. Pakistan's market for static transmission and substations is currently valued at around USD 8 million. This figure, however, does not reflect the true scale of our potential. 'We must work to expand this market at least threefolds through strategic development, innovation, and local industrial growth. At the same time, we should set a clear target of achieving no less than USD 16 million in exports from this sector. That is the level of ambition we must embrace to position ourselves competitively on the global stage,' he maintained.
