In a significant continuation of the Pakistan Banking Summit held earlier this year, the Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA) recently hosted a high-level follow-up session featuring Dr. Salman Ahmed, Global Head of Macro and Strategic Asset Allocation at Fidelity International. This exclusive session, titled “Return of the Old Titans of Hard Power and Geo-economics: Long-Term Strategy for Pakistan,” provided a critical platform for the country’s leading banking and policy stakeholders to engage in dialogue around the profound shifts shaping the global economic and geopolitical landscape.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, the resurgence of strategic competition, and the reassertion of hard power among traditional global players, the session offered timely insights into how Pakistan can effectively position itself. Dr. Ahmed shared a compelling macroeconomic perspective, outlining the long-term structural shifts redefining global economic hierarchies and the strategic imperatives these create for emerging economies like Pakistan.
Participants engaged in a focused analysis of the current world order’s fragmentation, highlighting the urgency for Pakistan to recalibrate its economic and geopolitical strategies. Dr. Ahmed emphasized that as established powers pivot back to conventional power politics and national security priorities, countries on the periphery must find innovative pathways to safeguard economic sovereignty while advancing development goals.
The session was attended by several key figures in the country’s financial ecosystem, including Zafar Masud, Yousaf Hussain, Atif Bajwa, Rehmat Hasnie, Rizwan Ata, Muhammad Atif Hanif, Amir Khan, Nauman Ansari, Kamran Zaidi, Muhammad Nauman Chughtai, Muhammad Jawaid Iqbal, Nassir S., Khurram Shahzad Khan, Irfan Siddiqui, Basir Shamsie, and Muhtashim Ahmed Ashai. Their presence underscored the importance of informed leadership in responding to the complexities of an evolving international environment.
A central theme of the discussion revolved around resilience—how Pakistan’s banking sector can help anchor national economic strength while adapting to changing capital flows, currency realignments, and trade partnerships. Dr. Ahmed stressed the need for forward-thinking policies and strategic investments in infrastructure, digital integration, and institutional stability to ensure competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
The conversation also explored how Pakistan’s banking and policy apparatus can better anticipate global disruptions, mitigate financial risks, and chart a growth trajectory that aligns with both national and international economic interests. As the traditional balance of global power continues to evolve, there was consensus that Pakistan must prioritize strategic autonomy through economic diversification, investment in human capital, and integration into emerging economic blocs.
This forward-looking session not only reinforced the critical role of financial institutions in shaping national strategy but also highlighted the importance of strategic foresight in a world increasingly defined by uncertainty and power realignment. With continued dialogue and expert engagement, Pakistan’s banking sector aims to remain agile and proactive in facing the challenges and opportunities of the emerging global order.