The pioneering Pakistan Retail Business Council (PRBC) held their 2024 Pakistan Retail Business Council Conference 2025 in Islamabad, bringing together industry stakeholders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the future of Pakistan’s retail sector under the theme “Retail Reimagined: Innovate, Collaborate & Thrive.”
The conference, aimed at fostering growth and collaboration within Pakistan’s retail industry, is an important step forward for dialogue, collaboration and growth for Pakistan’s retail business.
Thje conference opened with important remarks from PRBC Chairman Ziad Bashir. He highlighted the importance of the retail sector, which is a key contributor to Pakistan’s GDP and a significant employer across the country.
“Retail is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, and this conference reaffirms our commitment to driving innovation and collaboration to thrive in an ever-changing business environment,” said Bashir.
Finance and Revenue Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, in his keynote address, emphasized the government’s support for the sector, noting that policy reforms and digital advancements are essential for growth. “A strong retail sector is critical for a thriving economy. We are committed to fostering an environment that enables retail businesses to grow and embrace digital transformation,” he stated.
Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning and Development, who spoke over lunch, addressed stakeholders about the importance of adopting technology-driven solutions to ensure the sector’s resilience and growth. “Retail is at a transformative stage, and technology will play a key role in shaping its future. Public-private partnerships will be crucial to creating a dynamic retail ecosystem,” he added.
The event featured a series of insightful panel discussions on key topics shaping the retail industry.
The opening panel, “Retail Sector: Cornerstone of our Economy,” moderated by Salman Ahmad, featured FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, Shahid Hussain (Chairman & CEO, Service Sales Corporation), Mahir Binici resident representative for Pakistan from International Monetary Fund, and PRBC Chairman Ziad Bashir.
Next, “Made in Pakistan: Supporting Local Industry,” moderated by Nosheen Abbas, brought together Mustafa Zaman (Group CEO, Sarena & Sefam), Shehryar Buksh (CEO, Beech Tree), Altaf Hashwani (CEO, Sana Safinaz), and Selina Rashid Khan (CEO, Lotus Client Management & Public Relations).
A critical discussion on “Taxation Reforms in Retail: POS, Technology, Widening Tax Base,” moderated by Sidra Iqbal, included Asfandyar Farrukh (Chairman, Chainstore Association of Pakistan), Deputy Governor SBP Saleem Ullah, Mir Badshah Khan Wazir (Member Legal, FBR), and Omer Bin Ahsan (CEO, Haball).
The panel “Pakistani Retailers: Expanding Beyond Borders,” led by Wille Eerola (Honorary Consul General of Pakistan in Finland & Chairman, Finland-Pakistan Business Council), featured Ahmed Hussain (Executive Director, Service Sales Corporation), Umer Lodhi (Country Manager, Carrefour Pakistan), Salima Feerasta (Founder & Chief Editor, Karachista.com), and Seema Aziz (Founder & Managing Director, Sefam).
In “Mentoring Future Leaders,” moderated by Arifa Noor, Amal Khan (Creative Director & Co-founder, LAMA Retail), and Danish Lakhani (CEO, Cyber Internet Services) and Ziad Bashir, Chairman PRBC shared their expertise.
The final discussion, “E-Commerce & Digital Payments: Revolutionizing the Retail Landscape,” moderated by Sumaira Khan, featured Zarrar Khan, Secretary IT & Telecom, Syed Muhammad Ali Bukhari, Director General Operations of Daraz, Bashir Khan, COO of 1link with Saad Niazi, CEO Keenu.
The Pakistan Retail Business Council Conference 2025 underscored the importance of innovation, policy support, and collaboration in driving the future of the retail industry in Pakistan.
For more information, visit: https://prbc.org.pk/
