On March 9, 2023, the Pakistan Public Sector Conference 2023 was hosted in Islamabad yesterday, ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) brought together important public financial management stakeholders. As they worked to transform public sector finance, the leaders discussed the problems and potential solutions that confront public sector professionals. The goal of the conference was to create a platform for knowledge sharing in Pakistan for important public sectors participants, such as the government, foreign development partners, public sector financial experts, and other key enablers in the ecosystem of the public sector.

The discussions mainly centered on the necessity of strengthening and professionalizing public financial management (PFM), as well as the changing function of finance pros in fostering public confidence.

The keynote speaker was Tariq Bajwa, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Finance, who discussed how the public sector’s financial leadership is changing and emphasized the value of supporting sustainability-driven capacity building, policies, and practices.

Assad Hameed Khan, Head of ACCA Pakistan, gave the opening comments:

“Accountancy is at the center of public sector transformation in Pakistan. Finance professionals need the right skills to improve PFM and drive policy and spending decisions resulting in a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic development of Pakistan.”

“ACCA’s 67,000 public sector members and future members around the world make an extraordinary difference to the lives of so many, playing a key role in the delivery of public services and setting the regulatory environment to meet societies’ global challenges,” he added.

In his speech as the guest of honor, Dr. Irum Anjum Khan, Additional Auditor General, Office of Auditor General of Pakistan, discussed the function of the Supreme Audit Institution in fostering and increasing public confidence in the public sector.

Two insightful panel talks with participation from important public sector stakeholders and other ecosystem enablers were also part of the program.

ShahBano Khan led the first panel, which discussed the necessity of enhancing professionalization in the public sector. Salman Amin from the Ministry of Privatization, Adnan Rafique from the Pakistani Department of Auditor General, Inam Ullah Kakra from KPMG, and Shahzad Hassan, Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues, Controller General of Accounts, were among the panelists.

The second-panel talk focused on current reforms and transformations in the public sector. Partner and KPMG Head of Risk Management Abbas Naqvi gave the keynote address for the gathering. Naveed Aziz of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Noaman Ali of The World Bank Pakistan, Nadeem Wali of USAID, Kamran Rashid Khan of the Department of Auditor General of Pakistan, Anam Hussain of Oxford Policy Management, and Kamran Rashid Khan of the Department of Auditor General of Pakistan were among the panelists.

Alex Metcalfe, the worldwide head of the public sector for ACCA, gave a presentation on how government balance sheets contribute to stable public finances. Through the professionalization of the public sector and alignment with the national sustainability agenda, Hammad Yunus, CEO of PFM Solutions, provided a keynote speech outlining ACCA’s framework for developing PFM capability. It was noted that the public sector will increasingly place a premium on sustainability reporting and assurance, which is changing quickly.

Asad Mehmood Malik, Head of Business Development – North, ACCA Pakistan, gave the conference’s final comments.

The event was well-attended and gave public sector experts and professionals a forum to remain current on developments in the sector and learn from experts.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.