The 8th Edition of THE FUTURE SUMMIT commenced with a packed hall at a local hotel in Karachi. Farrukh Amin, CEO of Unity Foods Limited, and Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder & Chairman of Nutshell Group, welcomed the audience.
The opening session was a compelling lineup of leaders and policymakers addressing the theme “What Matters Now” in a rapidly evolving world. Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue, discussed Pakistan’s macroeconomic journey, noting, “We have seen encouraging progress in achieving economic stability—our twin deficits have turned to surpluses, currency remains stable, and our forex reserves have improved.” Stressing the need for private sector involvement, he added, “Economic reform must come with collaboration. Let’s empower the private sector to drive sustainable growth.”
Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Chairperson of Pakistan Stock Exchange Ltd., highlighted environmental challenges that loom large over Pakistan’s future, stating, “Pakistan ranks 27th among countries least prepared for climate change. Our vulnerabilities are growing, and we urgently need billions of dollars to repair and develop infrastructure to combat these impacts.” Addressing both the economic and environmental spectrum, Akhtar called for strategic investments in sustainable infrastructure, indicating that green development is essential for resilience.
The private sector’s commitment to sustainability was underscored by Sadia Dada, Chief Distribution & Marcomms Officer at K-Electric. She remarked, “K-Electric was the first company to publish its gender pay gap ratios. Additionally, we’re committed to achieving a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030, with at least 30% of our power generated from renewable sources.” She emphasized the importance of climate responsibility for businesses, noting that each action taken today will shape the future of both the industry and Pakistan as a whole.
The event also featured a critical discussion on food security led by Farrukh Amin of Unity Foods, who shared his company’s vision to tackle Pakistan’s food shortages and promote agricultural innovation. “What matters now is an economically stable Pakistan,” he said. “Let’s drive Pakistan to a future where food security and sustainability are not just words, but pillars of our nation’s success.” He also spoke on the importance of cross-sector partnerships in addressing these goals, advocating for collaboration between the private and public sectors.
Economic resilience, especially amidst global volatility, remained a core focus. In a keynote address, Yousaf Hussain, President of OICCI and CEO of Faysal Bank, spoke on technology’s critical role. “Technology is key to addressing Pakistan’s most pressing challenges. As an organization, OICCI is prioritizing data privacy, AI governance, and cyber resilience,” he said. With increasing digitalization, he noted that managing technology responsibly will be essential in building a future-ready economy.
A panel discussion, “Talk Amongst Titans,” moderated by Saquib Ahmad, Managing Director of SAP, included an insightful perspective from VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu. Reflecting on VEON’s longstanding relationship with Pakistan, he remarked, “Pakistan has trusted VEON for over three decades, and we remain committed to its growth and prosperity. Pakistan Zindabad!” Syed Amir Ali, Deputy CEO of Meezan Bank, added that economic growth in Pakistan requires a skilled workforce. “Investing in skills training for our workforce will not only enhance productivity but also bring in significant remittances from overseas.”
Expanding on economic reforms, Ahmad Mobeen, Senior Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, observed that while economic stability has improved, deeper fiscal reforms are crucial. He called for better fiscal management, emphasizing that “The government must streamline policies to attract foreign investment, improve ease of doing business, and reduce regulatory hurdles.”
Healthcare and access to quality medical services were also in the spotlight. Javed Ghulam Mohammad, CEO of Martin Dow Group, shared his insights on Pakistan’s pharma sector, highlighting its untapped potential. “Countries like the Philippines and Vietnam have a market size of 6-8 billion USD, whereas Pakistan’s is just 3 billion USD, despite our population size,” he noted. NGOs play a vital role, especially in Karachi, where many healthcare services are managed by these organizations, pointing to a need for greater support and innovation in healthcare.
In a session focusing on financial inclusion, Usman Yousuf, Director of Nutshell Communications and Chairman of ProPakistani, led a discussion with industry leaders such as Christos Argyriou, CEO of MNT-Halan Pak B.V., and Dr. Amjad Waheed, CEO of NBP Fund Management. Argyriou commented on the transformative power of financial inclusion, stating, “Empowering people financially builds resilience, enabling communities to create new opportunities and grow independently.”
Ali Khizar, Director of Research at Business Recorder, chaired an in-depth discussion on banking sector reform with senior leaders including Muhammad Nassir Salim, President of HBL, and Ahmed Khan Bozai, MD of Citibank. The challenges facing Pakistan’s financial system were discussed in detail, with Salim pointing out that “Asset management is a sector with enormous potential for growth in Pakistan. Increased awareness and participation can help mobilize capital effectively.” Sajjeed Aslam, CEO of SpectrEco USA, added that digitization is set to take Pakistan’s asset management to new heights, unlocking pathways to economic participation.
On the subject of diversity and inclusion, Rabia Ahmad, Director & CEO of Nutshell Group, moderated a panel that included Mujeeb Zahur, MD of S&P Global Pakistan, and Saira Awan Malik, President of TCS. They discussed the challenges and opportunities in fostering inclusive workplaces, emphasizing that leadership commitment to diversity is essential for sustainable growth. “In the digital age, AI and automation can reduce bias, but they also risk eroding personal interactions. We need a mindset shift to preserve human-centric work environments,” noted Malik.
A fireside chat between Zafar Masud, Chairman of Pakistan Banks’ Association, and Adnan Rizvi, Managing Partner at KPMG Pakistan, wrapped up key points on financial sector reform. Masud argued that taxation should not stifle growth, stating, “Banks are not against taxes, but the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) needs to trust us with autonomy. The government should recognize banks’ contributions, especially as they cover 86% of the deficit.”
The final session brought insights from global experts like Simon Atkinson, Global Chief Knowledge Officer at Ipsos, and Prof. Mark Turrell, CEO of Orcasci, UK, on digital transformation. They emphasized the importance of embracing technology, innovation, and data analytics to propel Pakistan into a more competitive and resilient future. Retired Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman closed the event, reminding attendees of the key challenges and priorities shaping Pakistan’s future. “Together, we’ve delved into economic inclusion, healthcare innovation, sustainable energy, and the role of digital transformation. Let us work collectively to build a future that truly matters.”
