Karachi: At the President's Dinner 2026, President Wasif Rizvi delivered a thought-provoking address, drawing on the metaphor of the Genie's Lamp to explore the implications of power in today's world. He questioned the consequences if such power, akin to the mythical lamp, were to fall into the wrong hands, and emphasized the importance of aligning power with wisdom.

According to Habib University, President Rizvi used his speech to contrast the modern-day concentration of technological, political, and financial power with the Islamic Golden Age, when knowledge and wisdom were prioritized. He highlighted figures such as Ibn al-Haytham and Al-Farabi, who rose from modest backgrounds to become pioneers in their fields, thanks to patrons like Fatima al-Fihri and the Barmakids. Rizvi noted that the decline of such patrons marked the end of this golden era.

He further introduced Habib University as a beacon of hope, asserting that it was founded on the belief that the right hands still exist today. The university aims to nurture talent irrespective of wealth, connecting critical reasoning with lived experience. President Rizvi acknowledged the support of donors and institutional partners, crediting them with enabling the university's mission and likening their contributions to "rubbing the lamp" to produce its magic.

Addressing the graduating class of 2026, President Rizvi encouraged them to carry forward this legacy, aspiring to influence and repair the world positively. He emphasized the enduring impact of their education at Habib University, quoting poet Munir Niazi to highlight the timeless nature of the magic they are poised to create.