Karachi: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) recently concluded its CFO Conference 2026, an event that gathered finance professionals, business leaders, and policymakers to discuss the evolving role of finance leadership amidst economic challenges. The conference, organized by ICAP's Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee, focused on the theme "The New Playbook - Adapt, Innovate, Elevate" and addressed how finance leaders can navigate an increasingly complex landscape.
According to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, the conference commenced with an opening address by Mr. Samiullah Siddiqui, FCA, President ICAP, who highlighted the shift in the CFO role towards strategic leadership. The event featured a keynote address by Mr. Junaid Iqbal, Founder and CEO of Salt Ventures, focusing on the importance of strategic leadership in times of uncertainty.
A significant panel discussion, "Repricing Risk, Rediscovering Value: Pakistan's Economic Outlook," addressed the economic challenges in Pakistan and explored investment opportunities. This panel included industry leaders such as Mr. Ziad Bashir from the Pakistan Business Council and Mr. Farrukh H. Khan, CFO of Jazz World. Technological advances in finance were examined in a presentation by Mr. Saad Kaliya of A.F. Ferguson and Co., discussing the use of AI in finance transformation.
The conference also explored leadership effectiveness through a session by Dr. Shade Zehrai and addressed investment strategies in a panel with Mr. Farrukh Sabzwari from the Pakistan Stock Exchange and other financial experts. A focus on developing future finance leaders was emphasized by Mr. Muhammad Zaid Kaliya, Chairman of the PAIB Committee, in his address "Elevate More Heroes."
Additional sessions included a discussion on skills required for navigating technological change and external disruptions, and a session on personal resilience led by Mr. Adeel Hashmi. The conference concluded with a fireside chat on Pakistan's potential as a BPO hub, highlighting insights from executives like Mr. Asif Peer of Systems Limited.
The event also celebrated the Professional Excellence Awards, recognizing achievements in various categories. Notable awards included the Business Enabler Award given to Syed Omair Ahmad Bokhari and Mr. Ahsan Anis Aziz, and the Business Leader Award to Mr. Muhammad Amin and Sajjad Iftikhar. The ceremony, hosted by Naveen Waqar and Ali Safina, honored significant contributions in finance both locally and internationally.