CFO® conference 2026: Message from Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan

It gives me great pleasure to extend my warm greetings to all participants of the CFO Conference 2026, themed “The New Playbook – Adapt, Innovate, Elevate.” At a time when economies across the globe—and particularly Pakistan—are navigating persistent challenges such as rising fuel and energy costs, inflationary pressures, fiscal consolidation, and heightened uncertainty, this theme is both timely and deeply relevant. It underscores the evolving role of leaders.

The geopolitical uncertainties and global partnership shifts are shaping future decision making. This year’s theme calls for a fundamental rethinking of traditional playbooks considering today’s complex economic realities. As organizations contend with cost pressures driven by energy prices, constrained liquidity, and rapidly shifting market dynamics, CFOs are required to adopt agile frameworks, leverage emerging technologies responsibly, and balance short-term stability with long-term value creation. The conference’s focus on finance transformation, ethical integration of artificial intelligence, the global evolution of shared services, and leadership mindsets for sustainable decision-making is particularly pertinent in this context.

The theme “The New Playbook – Adapt, Innovate, Elevate” strongly aligns with the Government of Pakistan’s vision for economic stabilization and renewal. By encouraging innovation, strengthening governance, embracing digital transformation, and promoting efficient resource allocation, finance leaders play a pivotal role in steering organizations—and the broader economy—through challenging times. As we pursue structural reforms and prudent economic management, the role of CFOs in supporting transparency, resilience, and investor confidence becomes increasingly critical.

In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Samiullah Siddiqui, President ICAP, Mr. Muhammad Zaid Kaliya, Chairman PAIB Committee ICAP, and the entire organizing team for their dedication in delivering this important conference. I am confident that the deliberations and insights emerging from this forum will equip finance leaders with the clarity, confidence, and strategic foresight needed to navigate today’s challenges and elevate performance in an ever-evolving economic landscape.