National and international experts have warned that Pakistan is at risk of being left behind in the global race if it does not commit to understanding and effectively utilizing data. They cautioned that future challenges would become significantly more complex if the country fails to align with current technological advancements.
These views were expressed on Tuesday during the two-day 3rd “Data-Driven Social Transformation” conference and the 1st International Research Symposium 2026. The event was organized by the Information Technology Centre, Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, in collaboration with the Sindh Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The primary objective of the conference, held on Tuesday, was to find modern, technology-based solutions for the agriculture, health, and education sectors.
In his inaugural address, SAU Vice-Chancellor Engineer Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal noted a significant shift towards the modern necessity of policymaking based on evidence and data-driven analysis, moving away from past guesswork-based decisions. He clarified that data is more than just numbers; it reflects the public’s problems, needs, and human lives.
Dr. Siyal explained that information plays a crucial role in identifying out-of-school children, locating areas lacking health facilities, and pinpointing populations most affected by poverty or climate risks. Citing the 2022 floods, he detailed how data-driven planning facilitated the effective relocation of affected people and the targeting of relief measures. He also pointed to the establishment of a data center that provided a technological edge to the Pakistan Army, a prime example of data’s revolutionary power.
Emphasizing this need, Malaysian expert Professor Dr. Nor Zama Janjhi warned that the country must modernize its agricultural sector. He stressed the necessity of moving beyond traditional methods to smart, robotic, and data-driven systems to address challenges related to soil, crops, food security, livestock, and the environment.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sufism and Modern Sciences, Bhit Shah, Dr. Imamuddin Khoso, stated that universities are key institutions not just for knowledge dissemination but for knowledge creation. He described agriculture as a fundamental pillar of development and called for the formation of expert committees to assess current farming practices and levels of technology adoption.
FAO’s Provincial Head, Dr. Julius Muchimi, described data as a powerful tool that fuels science, research, and social development. He observed that the analysis of critical data is a central component of innovation, playing a key role in problem-solving and effective policymaking.
Presenting a practical application, Professor from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, and CEO of the Kisan 360 app, Dr. Saqib Ali, detailed how combining satellite imagery with artificial intelligence yields accurate predictions about crop health, water needs, and potential yield. He added that this technology is also crucial for urban planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster management.
The conference was also addressed by Dr. Aijaz Ali Khooharo, Professor Dr. Mir Sajjad Hussain Talpur, Dr. Muhammad Yaqoob Koondhar, and Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmed Mahar.
Academics and researchers from China, the UK, Malaysia, South Korea, and various Pakistani universities participated in the symposium both in person and online. Out of a total of 224 submitted papers, several research papers were selected for presentation during the sessions.