Author: yasir
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,…
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), the world’s leading antipiracy coalition, today announced MHL as its newest member. MHL is Pakistan’s leading licensed content distribution and broadcast services provider, delivering end-to-end broadcast and OTT services for content providers, platforms, and distributors. MHL owns Begin, a subscription-based OTT platform offering premium Western entertainment and sports content to Pakistani audiences. MHL’s vision is to create an ecosystem that benefits creators, businesses, and consumers alike. “Welcoming MHL into ACE’s ranks delivers a clear message to creators and consumers everywhere: digital piracy is a global threat – and so, too, is our fight…
Master Changan Motors Limited (MCML), has marked another proud milestone in its international journey by successfully exporting its flagship SUV, the Oshan X7, to South Africa and Kenya. This achievement not only strengthens Master Changan’s global footprint but also stands as a testament to the rising capabilities of Pakistan’s automotive industry. Recognized as Pakistan’s highest-selling 7-seater SUV, the Oshan X7 continues to redefine standards both at home and abroad. In its latest achievement, Master Changan shipped 10 units to South Africa and 6 units to Kenya, showcasing the brand’s growing appeal in international markets and reinforcing confidence in Pakistani-manufactured vehicles.…
DWP Technologies and JS Bank officially entered into a transformative partnership through the signing of a three-year Cisco Infrastructure Services contract, marking a significant milestone in digital infrastructure development. This strategic alliance focuses on deploying Cisco’s cutting-edge Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) to elevate JS Bank’s operational agility, network security, and digital efficiency. The signing ceremony was a key highlight of the event, symbolizing a commitment to next-generation IT infrastructure and long-term innovation. DWP Technologies has successfully provided, designed, and deployed Cisco ACI at JS Bank’s Karachi facility, reinforcing its leadership in enterprise technology solutions. As part of the collaboration, Cisco…
Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) on Thursday announced a significant oil and gas discovery from its exploratory efforts at the Faakir-1 well, located within the Bitrisim Exploration License area in Khairpur district of Sindh. The well is operated by OGDCL with a 95% working interest, in a joint venture with Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL), which holds the remaining 5% stake. Spudded on December 31, 2024, as an exploratory well, the Faakir-1 well was drilled to a total depth of 4,185 meters in the Sembar Formation. The drilling operation was executed using OGDCL’s in-house expertise in close collaboration…
THAAP proudly presents a compelling session in its esteemed THAAP Talk Series, titled “Manchar Lake Mohannas – Safeguarding Culture.” This event will spotlight the endangered heritage of Pakistan’s last surviving houseboat community on Manchar Lake, Sindh. Renowned scholars Prof. Dr. Anila Naeem, Chairperson of the Department of Architecture and Planning at N.E.D. University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, and Ms. Farida Abdul Ghaffar, Assistant Professor in the same department, will lead the discussion. The talk is scheduled for Saturday, 14 June 2025, at 4:00 PM at THAAP Office, 43-G, Gulberg III, Lahore. Prof. Dr. Anila Naeem’s groundbreaking research explores the…
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…
The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has expressed disappointment over the government’s limited progress in addressing inequitable corporate tax rate in the recent budget. While the marginal reduction in Super Tax rates is acknowledged, OICCI reiterates the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of tax structures to enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness and attract foreign investment. The Chamber also notes the absence of meaningful reductions in government expenditure, which could have helped narrow the budget deficit. Fiscal discipline remains critical to ensuring macroeconomic stability, and OICCI urges the government to prioritize expenditure rationalization in its budgetary measures. OICCI regrets…
According to a report by the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), least developed countries contribute to 1.1% of global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and industry, yet 69% of climate related disaster deaths over the past 50 years occurred in these countries. Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW), the award-winning documentary series, is expanding its lens beyond the towering ranges of Central and South Asia to uncover urgent environmental stories in affected regions. These include deltas, deserts, forests, and underground systems – areas often overlooked in global climate conversations. The series has begun production on its fourth season…
Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance Bank, Mobilink Bank’s inheritance campaign, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025 in the ‘Glass: The Lion for Change’ category. The Invisible Heirs campaign tackles systemic barriers to women’s inheritance rights in Pakistan by highlighting a long-ignored issue through data-driven tools and impactful storytelling. Cannes Lions received over 251 global entries in the subject category, with only 28 campaigns making it to the shortlist. Mobilink Bank’s Invisible Heirs campaign has already garnered global acclaim by winning prestigious awards, including Dubai Lynx, M360 APAC Digital Nations Awards, and Glomo. The powerful…