PAIB Committee of ICAP holds moot: Strategic leadership role of CFOs in focus

KARACHI: The Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) on Tuesday held the ICAP CFO Conference 2026 here, themed “The New Playbook – Adapt, Innovate, Elevate.”

In his address of welcome, ICAP President Samiullah Siddiqui, FCA, highlighted the CFOs shifting role from traditional financial stewardship to strategic leadership, stressing the need to adapt and innovate amid economic volatility and technological disruption.

The conference featured a keynote address by Junaid Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Salt Ventures, on navigating uncertainty and driving value creation. Key panel discussions covered Pakistan’s economic outlook, including taxation challenges, liquidity constraints, and investment opportunities, as well as what attracts serious capital in today’s markets and how finance professionals can turn uncertainty into capability-led growth.

The technology dimension was addressed through a presentation on AI applications in finance by Saad Kaliya of A.F. Ferguson & Co, complemented by an international perspective from Dan Worsley of the IFAC. A fireside chat on Pakistan’s BPO and shared services potential further broadened the agenda.

The PAIB Committee Chairman Muhammad Zaid Kaliya delivered an address titled “Elevate More Heroes,” urging finance leaders to actively mentor the next generation of professionals.

The event also hosted the fourth edition of the Professional Excellence Awards (PEA), recognising outstanding individuals across multiple categories, including Business Enabler, Business Leader, Emerging Leader, Finance Leader, and Overseas Excellence. The conference served as a vital platform for Pakistan’s finance community to exchange ideas and chart a path toward sustainable, strategic growth.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026