Latest news with #LUMS
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- General
- Business Recorder
87pc of people support action to reduce impacts of climate change: survey
LAHORE: An international survey conducted across 17 total countries, including Pakistan, was commissioned by the Global Methane Hub to gauge public support for climate change solutions, particularly efforts to reduce methane pollution. In Pakistan, the survey was conducted in collaboration with LUMS. According to the survey, 87% of Pakistanis support action to reduce the impacts of climate change, with 51% expressing strong support. 80% back efforts specifically aimed at reducing methane emissions, including 44% who strongly support such measures. In Pakistan, public awareness of climate change is remarkably high: 96% of respondents affirmed their belief in climate change, with 71% attributing it to human activities—a figure that aligns with global trends. Among environmental concerns, water quality was ranked as the top issue, with 61% expressing strong concern, followed by air quality at 58% and climate change at 57%. 'Communities that are feeling the most heat—literally—are also the most vocal in calling for climate action,' said Marcelo Mena, CEO of the Global Methane Hub. 'Cutting methane is one of the fastest ways to bring temperatures down, and people know it. It's not just science—it's a direct response to what they're experiencing on the ground.' Amid increasing threats from heatwaves, floods, and worsening air pollution, 44% of Pakistanis expressed strong support for methane-specific climate action. Among the four Asia-Pacific countries surveyed, Pakistan, the Philippines (43%), and Indonesia (59%) all demonstrated a strong demand for policy action on methane, positioning the region as a leader in climate advocacy. 'Communities across Pakistan are already living through the harshest effects of climate change, from extreme heat and floods to droughts and toxic air. Evidence from secondary sources suggests that the country emits significant levels of methane, driven by a large agriculture sector, unmanaged waste, and an aging gas network. This survey is a timely wake-up call, underscoring the need to measure emissions, raise awareness, and implement targeted, practical solutions,' said Dr Naveed Arshad, Director of LUMS Energy Institute and Professor at LUMS. Pakistanis blame large oil and gas companies, waste management corporations, and agricultural producers most for environmental harms. In a separate question, respondents identified oil and gas companies, waste management organisations, and international government systems as the actors most capable of effectively addressing climate change. Vast Majority of Pakistanis Support Action on Methane Pollution, Blame Industry for Harms Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
When geography meets geopolitics
The writer is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad. She is a LUMS and Warwick alumnus Listen to article The Strait of Hormuz – a mere 21 nautical miles wide at its narrowest point – is a passage so narrow, yet so powerful, that a single disruption here can jolt the arteries of the global economy. Located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz serves as the primary maritime gateway for the world's energy supply. Roughly one-fifth of the global oil trade, an estimated 17 million barrels of oil pass through it daily. In 2024, oil flow through the strait averaged 20 million barrels per day (b/d), or the equivalent of about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. Exporters including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar rely on this maritime passage to access international markets. The strait is also a major route for non-oil shipping, linking Gulf economies to Asia, Africa and Europe. While some infrastructure exists to bypass the strait, such as overland pipelines through Saudi Arabia and the UAE, these alternatives have limited capacity and cannot fully substitute for Hormuz. As a result, the strait remains a strategic chokepoint, where even minor disruptions can impact global energy prices and shipping insurance markets. The importance of the Strait of Hormuz is not limited to the Middle East. Asian economies such as China, Japan, India and South Korea are heavily reliant on energy imports from the Gulf, and any sustained disruption could affect global manufacturing and inflation. Similarly, European and North American markets are tied into the same global supply chains, making stability in the strait a shared international interest. Control over the strait is geographically shared. The northern shore belongs to Iran, while the southern side is part of Oman, specifically its Musandam exclave. The navigable shipping lanes within the strait fall under territorial waters, but transit is governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which grants the right of transit passage to all vessels, including military ships, provided they do not threaten peace or security. The Strait of Hormuz has never been fully blocked or closed to shipping. However, it has occasionally witnessed episodes of tension, particularly during periods of strained diplomatic relations or military escalation. Incidents involving tanker seizures, naval exercises and rhetorical threats from multiple actors have contributed to its reputation as a flashpoint. Its continued openness can be attributed to both geographical and legal factors. The strait falls under the framework of transit passage rights established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which restricts unilateral actions by coastal states to impede navigation. Moreover, any actual attempt to close the strait would likely trigger a significant escalation of regional and international tensions, making the cost of such a move exceedingly high for all involved parties. Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, recent warnings from Iranian officials about the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz have already begun to influence global oil markets. In mid-June 2025, following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets and subsequent rhetoric from Tehran, Brent crude prices surged by over 4%, reaching around $78 per barrel, while WTI crude followed a similar trajectory. While a full-scale closure has not occurred, forecasts suggest that even a partial disruption — such as the loss of 1.1 million barrels per day of Iranian exports — could push prices to $75-78, whereas a complete shutdown could send them soaring to $120-130 per barrel. The world depends on this waterway, but few grasp the full magnitude of its strategic weight or the complexity of its control. Safe to say Hormuz is small on the map, but vast in its impact.
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
