The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) held the Islamabad edition of the ICAP CFO Conference 2026 yesterday, May 14. Policymakers, regulators, and finance executives gathered to examine Pakistan’s economic outlook. The event operated under the theme:
The New Playbook – Adapt, Innovate, Elevate.
Navigating Economic Policy & SIFC Goals
ICAP President Muhammad Samiullah Siddiqui opened the event. He urged finance leaders to navigate economic uncertainty and drive strategic transformation. Jahangir Piracha, Managing Director of Fauji Fertilizer Company, delivered the keynote address. He outlined specific strategies for converting market volatility into long-term value.
Meanwhile, Jamil Ahmed Qureshi, Federal Secretary of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), detailed new investment policies. He highlighted ongoing initiatives designed to secure scalable capital and improve investor confidence. Following this, a major panel analyzed Pakistan’s core economic hurdles. Economist Haroon Sharif, Hoechst Pharma CEO Sajjad Iftikhar, Additional Secretary SIFC Sajid Mehmood Qazi, and Former Minister Ashfaq Tola addressed taxation complexities, policy fragmentation, and severe liquidity constraints. Mobilink Microfinance Bank CFO Adil Abbasi moderated the session.
ICAP CFO Conference: Privatization & AI Implementation
The conference strongly prioritized state restructuring and emerging technologies. Muhammad Ali, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Privatization, discussed reforming State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to build a competitive economy. Subsequently, a dedicated panel used Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as a direct case study to dissect practical privatization strategies. Competition Commission Member Salman Amin, Former KAPCO CEO Aftab Butt, and Al Meezan Investment CEO Imtiaz Gadar led this discussion.
On the technology front, Bramerz CEO Badar Khushnood presented how Pakistani CFOs actively deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) for growth and business resilience. Furthermore, a panel featuring Carnelian Consultant Kamran Rizvi, Tapal Tea CFO Imtiaz Jaleel, and McKinsey & Company External Advisor Moqeem-ul-Haque explored the modern skills required to survive technological and geopolitical disruptions. POL CFO Bilal Khan moderated this segment.
Developing Leadership & Global BPO Potential
Muhammad Zaid Kaliya, Chairman of the PAIB Committee, addressed the necessity of talent development and professional excellence. Later, Adeel Hashmi conducted a session focused on mental resilience and maintaining leadership balance.
Finally, the event concluded with a dialogue titled:
Why Pakistan?
Sadia Khan, Head of Finance at Adamsmith International, and Rupert Dehaene, Director at AJR Equity, examined the country’s growing international potential. They highlighted Pakistan’s emerging competitiveness as a global hub for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and shared services.
