Pakistan steps Into data-driven future with NODP

June 13, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan marked a major milestone in its digital transformation journey with the launch of the National Open Data Portal (NODP), officially unveiled at the Pakistan Open Data Conference 2025 held in Islamabad.

The first-of-its-kind portal, developed by the National Center in Big Data and Cloud Computing (NCBC) at LUMS, will serve as the central platform for public access to government datasets across critical sectors including health, education, economy, environment, infrastructure, and demographics.

Designed to promote transparency, empower researchers and civil society, and support data-driven policymaking and innovation, the portal represents a pivotal step forward in building a digitally empowered nation.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, inaugurated the portal and praised the efforts of NCBC and LUMS in realizing this national achievement.

He emphasized that “Pakistan’s development narrative will now be written in code and understood through data,” highlighting the urgency of leveraging digital tools as a national priority, according to the press release issued.

He added that the launch of the National Open Data Portal will empower policymakers, researchers, and the public through access to structured datasets, driving better decision-making, transparency, and innovation.

Concluding his address, he stated, “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 underlining the strategic importance of open data in shaping a digitally enabled future.

He stated, “Data is the new oil but unlike oil, the more we share it, the more value we unlock.”

He described the portal’s launch as a critical investment in transparency, knowledge-sharing, and innovation, noting the establishment of NCBC at LUMS in 2018 with government support and the collaborative efforts of 12 partner institutions across the country.

He acknowledged the commitment of all contributors to the initiative, emphasizing their role in advancing technical excellence and national growth.

The conference convened senior representatives from government, academia, development organizations, and the tech industry for high-level discussions on open data’s role in inclusive development.

Highlights included live demonstrations of the portal and a panel discussion titled ‘Harnessing the Power of Open Data’ featuring insights from Khurram Rahat, Sardar Ikram Khan, Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, and Salman Aslam.

The panel explored the economic, social, and governance value of public data and emphasized the need for cross-sectoral collaboration for data-driven solutions.

The event, hosted by NCBC at LUMS in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, reinforced LUMS’ leadership in digital innovation and national development.

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