ACCA Pakistan hosted an exclusive networking dinner in Karachi under the theme “Prioritising What Matters in a Changed World,” bringing together senior professionals, industry leaders, academics, employers and ACCA learning partners for discussions on the changing priorities facing businesses and the accountancy profession. The event focused on people, environmental sustainability and the evolving role of finance professionals in supporting organisations as they respond to economic, technological and environmental changes.
The keynote address was delivered by Lucia Real Martin GAICD, Executive Director of ACCA, who spoke on “Prioritising What Matters in a Changed World: People. Planet. Profession.” Her address focused on the importance of maintaining attention on people and professional capabilities while organisations navigate a changing business environment. The session formed the central theme of the evening and connected the role of the accountancy profession with broader questions around sustainability and how professionals can contribute to business decision-making.
The event also featured a Guest of Honour address by Dr Ishrat Husain, former Federal Minister and former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan. His presentation, titled “Data at the Heart of Green Transition,” focused on the role of data in supporting the transition towards more sustainable economic and business practices. The topic brought together two areas that are increasingly relevant to organisations and finance professionals, namely the availability of reliable information and the use of that information to understand and manage sustainability-related priorities.
A panel discussion followed the keynote sessions and was moderated by Zehra Aneek, Director, Sustainability Consulting at EY. The panel brought together professionals from corporate finance, business representation and professional services. Participants included Atif Kaludi, FCA, Chief Financial Officer of Lucky Cement Limited, Kashif Shafi, Executive Director of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Moneeza Butt, Partner at KPMG in Pakistan. The discussion provided perspectives from different areas of the business community on sustainability, professional responsibilities and the changing requirements facing organisations.
The participation of senior professionals from companies, business organisations and advisory firms provided the event with a broad industry perspective. Corporate finance leaders are increasingly involved in assessing information related to business performance, investment decisions, risk and sustainability, while professional services firms work with organisations on reporting, advisory and sustainability-related requirements. The event created a setting for these different perspectives to be discussed alongside the role of professional accountants and finance teams.
The networking dinner was attended by industry leaders, senior ACCA members, representatives from academia, employers and ACCA learning partners. The gathering also included a number of ACCA Pakistan and professional community representatives, including Assad Hameed Khan, Ali Shan Haque, Misha Tahzeen, Taimur Beiram, Khurram Iqbal, Muhammad Shahid Khan and Aamir Saleem. Their participation reflected the involvement of different segments of the ACCA ecosystem in the event.
The discussion around data and the green transition also highlighted the growing importance of information in sustainability-related decision-making. Businesses require reliable data to assess their operations, understand resource use and evaluate progress against sustainability objectives. Finance and accounting professionals can contribute to this process through reporting, measurement, analysis and governance, linking financial information with broader business and sustainability considerations.
For ACCA Pakistan, the Karachi event provided an opportunity to bring together members and stakeholders around issues affecting the profession and the wider business environment. The combination of the keynote address, Guest of Honour session and panel discussion covered professional development, sustainability, data and corporate responsibilities. It also provided a platform for professionals from different sectors to exchange views and strengthen connections within Pakistan’s business and accountancy community.
The event’s theme, “Prioritising What Matters in a Changed World,” reflected the focus on how professionals and organisations can respond to changing expectations while maintaining attention on people, environmental considerations and professional standards. Through the participation of ACCA leadership, senior business executives, professional services representatives and members of the academic and employer community, the networking dinner brought together multiple perspectives on the future role of the accountancy profession in a changing business environment.
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