Lahore: 29th May’25 —: The Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) organized CFO Conference 2025 on theme ” Quantum Leap: Agility & Competitive Edge,” at a local hotel.
A major highlight of the conference was the keynote address titled “Leadership Metamorphosis: Recalibrating CFOs in Motion” by Mr. Syed Hyder Ali, Chief Executive and Managing Director of Packages Group. He examined the multidimensional evolution of the CFO role, shifting from traditional financial stewardship to becoming strategic business leaders. Mr. Hyder Ali emphasized the CFO’s potential to drive innovation, performance, and resilience amid today’s volatile economic climate.
Mr. Saif Ullah, President of ICAP, in his keynote address, eloquently underscored the critical importance and timeliness of this year’s theme. He reflected upon the unprecedented velocity of transformation reshaping the global financial and business landscape, emphasizing that today’s finance leaders must cultivate agility, embrace disruptive technologies, and position themselves as strategic enablers. He further asserted that in an era defined by complexity and volatility, the ability to anticipate change and proactively drive value creation is no longer optional but imperative for sustained organizational success.
Mr. Samiullah Siddiqui, Vice President of ICAP, conveyed his profound gratitude to the distinguished guests, organizing committee, ICAP Council Members, sponsors, and participants for their invaluable contributions to the success of the conference. He highlighted the evolving and pivotal role of CFOs as catalysts of organizational transformation—not merely as stewards of financial integrity, but as visionary leaders driving digital integration, fostering a culture of ethical governance, and steering their institutions toward long-term, sustainable growth in an increasingly complex business environment.
The conference proceeded with a thought-provoking panel discussion titled ‘Empowered Growth: Leveraging the Digital Ecosystem’, expertly moderated by Ms. Sana Mela, Vice President Strategy at Swyft Logistics. The panel featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Mr. Atyab Tahir, CEO of Hugo Bank; Mr. Salman Hafeez, Executive Director at Nishat; and Mr. Faisal Khan, CEO of IGI General Insurance. The session offered deep insights into how businesses can unlock scalable growth through digital transformation, real-time data analytics, and enhanced financial agility.
This was followed by an insightful presentation titled “Ethics in AI: Safeguarding Trust & Transparency in Finance” by global technology thought leader Mr. Asmar Atif, Chief Intrapreneur and Head of Octopus Digital at Avanceon. He explored the intersection of artificial intelligence and ethics in finance, stressing the urgent need for robust governance structures to uphold transparency, trust, and accountability in algorithm-based financial decision-making.
A second keynote address was delivered by Mr. Lee White, CEO, IFAC, titled “Finance in the Age of Acceleration: Navigating Complexity with Agility.” Mr. White urged finance professionals to proactively embrace artificial intelligence, align with sustainability imperatives, and adopt inclusive leadership models to ensure continued relevance and competitiveness in an increasingly complex global economy.
Further enriching the program, Mr. Ashfaq Yusuf Tola, President of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA), delivered a presentation titled “Redefining Finance: Quantum Thinking for Agile Times.” His address highlighted the significance of forward-thinking, adaptive finance strategies in uncertain and fast-changing environments.
Adding a fresh perspective, Mr. Faizan Hanif, a young ICAP member, engaged in a dynamic conversation with Mr. Zunair Zafar, CfO, The International Grammar School, Lahore. Titled “Unleash Your Superpower,” the discussion inspired emerging professionals to harness their strengths and lead with purpose in the finance domain.
In a session focused on investment and economic opportunities, Mr. Azfar Ahsan, Chairman of Nutshell Group, delivered an engaging speech titled “Investment Opportunities in Pakistan: Evolving Business Climate.” He highlighted the current trends, sectoral opportunities, and economic reforms shaping Pakistan’s investment landscape.
The human capital dimension took center stage during the panel discussion titled ‘The Human Balance Sheet: Future-Proofing Talent & Leadership.’ Moderated by Mr. Khalil Ahmed Hashmi, CFO of SPEL Ltd., the session featured an impressive lineup of speakers: Mr. Muhammad Faisal, Chief Executive Officer of Lucky Motors; Mr. Javed Akhtar, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Style Textile; and Ms. Toima Asghar, CHRO at Systems Pvt. Ltd. The panel emphasized the urgent need to cultivate diverse talent pipelines, instill future-ready competencies, and foster leadership rooted in empathy, adaptability, and innovation.
Sustainability and governance took center stage in a fireside chat titled “Beyond Compliance: ESG for Sustainable Success.” The discussion was led by Ms. Nazifa Butt, Director at WWF Pakistan; Mr. Fawad Ul Hassan, Operational Controller at Nestlé; and Ms. Nadia Rehman, Member for Climate Change and Food Security at the Planning Commission of Pakistan. Moderated by Mr. Aleem Zubair, Partner at A.F. Ferguson & Co., the session explored how ESG frameworks can be harnessed as strategic drivers of long-term business success.
A powerful motivational talk titled “Commanding the Leap” was delivered by Mr. Qaiser Abbas, renowned leadership coach and author. His session energized the audience, encouraging finance professionals to lead with vision, confidence, and courage amid change and disruption.
The conference concluded with a high-level panel discussion titled “Riding the Economic Wave,” moderated by Mr. Farid Alam, CEO of AKD Securities. The session featured eminent economic and financial thought leaders including Mr. Khurram Schehzad, Advisor to the Finance Minister of Pakistan, and Dr. Shahid Kardar, a respected economist and former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan. The panel provided an in-depth analysis of Pakistan’s macroeconomic landscape, key fiscal policy directions, and the broader business environment.
In the closing address, Mr. Muhammad Awais, Vice President ICAP, expressed his sincere thanks to all participants, speakers, and organizing teams. He reaffirmed ICAP’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s finance profession by fostering leadership, innovation, and ethical excellence.