Call to preserve Pakistan's built heritage
Themed, "Human Settlements in Transition: From Historic Roots to Future Visions in South Asia," it was kicked off on Friday at COMSATS University Islamabad.
The conference was inaugurated by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.
In his address, Dr Chaudhry highlighted the importance of drawing lessons from South Asia's urban heritage to build inclusive and resilient cities.
He also emphasised the role of the conference in connecting the young student body of the Department of Architecture with their historical roots, encouraging students to actively contribute to initiatives aimed at national progress.
He further expressed his resolve to take recommendations from such scholarly events into consideration for policymaking and relevant governing bodies.
Addressing the occasion, COMSATS University Islamabad Rector Professor Dr Sajid Qamar, reiterated his commitment to enhancing academia's role in preserving and promoting built heritage.
Dr Qamar said that we find ourselves at a critical junction where rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, and technological advancement are reshaping the very fabric of how and where we live.
In this context, revisiting the lessons of the past becomes not just relevant but essential. He said that as our cities today continue to expand in unsustainable ways, we are seeing several critical issues like Environmental degradation and inequitable access to public spaces, for which we must shift towards visioning for tomorrow while being grounded in the wisdom of the past.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Dr Noman Ahmed, Acting Vice Chancellor of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, stressed the urgent need for inclusive, resilient, and context-sensitive planning to address South Asia's rapidly evolving urban landscapes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
26-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Tackling digital terrorism: Social media companies asked to share data
ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Friday said that Pakistan has identified over 481 social media accounts operated by terrorist organisations under anonymous names, and called on global tech firms to cooperate in blocking these accounts. 'These accounts are linked to jet black terrorist organisations and not associated with any political party or parties' workers', he said while addressing the press conference along with Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik. 'These accounts are being run anonymously and using unverified identities. We are not opposing freedom of speech, but we must draw a line when it comes to terrorism and violent extremism,' he stated. PTA, Meta collaborate on digital counterterrorism workshop Chaudhry emphasised that these organisations are sanctioned by the United Nations, United States, United Kingdom, and Pakistan. Referring to the National Action Plan (NAP), he said that preventing the spread of terrorist propaganda through media, including social media, remains a top priority. While Pakistani authorities have successfully traced these accounts, Chaudhry said that action has been hindered by a lack of user data and the frequent re-emergence of 'mirror accounts' – duplicates that appear after one is taken down. He urged global social media platforms to not only block such accounts but also to implement AI-based systems capable of detecting and preventing the creation of mirror accounts. Additionally, he called for information sharing and transparency from tech companies to identify the individuals behind these networks. 'We often don't even know from where these accounts are being operated,' he added. He noted that hardcore terrorist groups were operating online under the guise of free speech and urged the complete blocking and removal of their accounts. As many as 2,417 complaints regarding terror-related content are currently under review, he said. Barrister Aqeel Malik echoed the concerns, stating that many of the banned organisations pose a threat not only to Pakistan but to global peace and stability. He reiterated that Pakistan has suffered deeply from terrorism, losing over 90,000 lives and bearing significant economic and social costs over the past two decades. 'The threat has evolved and spread across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram,' Malik said, highlighting the need for stronger regulation and cooperation with social media companies. He added that Pakistan would welcome the establishment of local offices of global tech firms to enhance enforcement and coordination on security issues. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
26-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Govt urges crackdown on 'digital terrorism'
The government on Friday urged the social media companies to immediately remove terrorist contents from their platforms using artificial intelligence (AI), stressing global cooperation against digital terrorism, including data sharing. Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad with Minister of State for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry emphasised that the removal of terrorist contents from social media did not intended to silence freedom of expression, but to build a wall against the menace. "I want to request social media operators and platforms to cooperate with us on the blockade and removal of accounts, taking measures to stop mirror accounts and to share information of account holders who are operating these accounts," Chaudhry said. Earlier this week, Chaudhry had highlighted how a terrorist group was using WhatsApp channels to "disseminate hateful content and harmful narratives". He told the joint presser that 2,417 complaints related to terrorism on social media were under consideration by the relevant authorities. "Pakistan is a bulwark against terrorism. We have detected hundreds of social media accounts linked to terrorism. Outfits like TTP, IS-K, BLA and BLF are spreading propaganda and recruiting youth through the social media," he said. On the occasion, Barrister Aqeel said that terrorism and propaganda were punishable offenses under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). "Pakistan has demanded closure of terrorist accounts, automatic blocking, and access to data from social media platforms," he said.
Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Future of politics closely tied to IK: Fawad
LAHORE: Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry has stated that the future of Pakistani politics is closely tied to the former prime minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan. Speaking to the media at the Lahore High Court, Chaudhry emphasised that the primary concern is Imran Khan's release from jail. He accused the current PTI leadership of being complicit in keeping the party founder imprisoned to diminish his political influence. He criticised the existing PTI leaders, labelling them as unfit to lead any movement and asserting they have failed to gain public support. Additionally, he dismissed Aliya Hamza's contributions to the political struggle and suggested that if Imran Khan's sons were to enter the political arena, it could dramatically change the landscape. He also said there was no room for additional political parties in Pakistan, suggesting that any new party would be as insignificant as Reham Khan's, implying it would have minimal influence. Chaudhry also claimed that the legal cases against him lack merit and warned that the Anti-Terrorism Court's (ATC) decision could further escalate political tensions. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
