Lahore, 10 Oct 2023:Professor Zartash Afzal Uzmi and his team from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) have been distinguished with an ISIF Asia award at the Internet Governance Forum in Japan, a notable acknowledgment for their influential work in advancing Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in Pakistan, thereby enhancing web and social media traffic management and minimizing communication lags in the nation. This news, emanating from a press release by the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), signifies a momentous advancement in Pakistan’s digital arena, spotlighting the substantial impact of research and innovation on internet governance and access.
IXPs, instrumental in directing online traffic, have found a sturdy ally in Professor Uzmi’s team, with the latter providing pivotal support to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in establishing three of them, employing infrastructure housed within the Higher Education Commission and Punjab Information Technology Board. The accolade, bestowed at the forum, highlights the team’s assiduous research and particularly underscores their strides in amplifying the proficiency of IXPs through the implementation of an advanced networking technology known as Software Defined Networking (SDN).
Surmounting challenges and dismantling preconceptions, the LUMS team has successfully deployed SDN technology within an IXP in a lab setting – a feat previously regarded as unattainable without constructing a new IXP. Dr. Uzmi and his colleagues have proposed the deployment of this novel technology across Pakistan’s IXPs and theorize that their research could potentially entice internet giants like Facebook and Google to enhance their presence within Pakistan IXP, progressively amplifying the nation’s internet speed.
Dr. Uzmi elucidated the potential impact of locally hosting major content distribution networks and providers, spotlighting the considerable enhancement it could usher in providing balanced internet access. He vocalized his unyielding dedication to his mission of proffering Pakistani users a “better and faster experience” that aligns with services found globally.
In attendance at the event were renowned personalities, including Sajid Latif, Director General of e-Governance at PITB, Dr. Sahibzada Ali Mahmud, Managing Director of KPITB, and Mr. Mubasher Gondal, Economic Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.
The ISIF Asia awards, propelled by the APNIC Foundation, honour projects that harness innovative technologies and research to spur internet development across the Asia-Pacific region, thereby amplifying the resonance of Dr. Uzmi and his team’s accomplishment.