The 2025 edition of the Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit (LIIBS), themed Navigating the Unknown, concluded after two impactful days of dialogue, commitment, and collaboration among global leaders, policy experts, and more than a thousand delegates. The summit was jointly hosted by Nutshell Conferences Group and Unity Foods Limited, with strategic partnerships from the Government of Pakistan and the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OICCI).
The event served as a platform to push forward conversations around technology, innovation, governance, and sustainable growth. High-profile national figures addressed critical challenges and potential opportunities for Pakistan’s future. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, underscored the urgent need for policy stability and strong governance. He pointed out that ineffective regulation has significantly contributed to Pakistan’s growing circular debt and diminishing investor confidence, reiterating the importance of enforcing the rule of law to move forward.
Former Finance Minister Asad Umar focused on democratic accountability and institutional strength. He stated that as a diverse and multi-ethnic nation, Pakistan must emphasize local governance and system-based policymaking to resolve longstanding structural issues. Sohail Aman, Pakistan’s former Chief of Air Staff and current Chief Executive of Strategic Engagements at Nutshell Group, closed the summit by emphasizing unity and constitutional adherence as key to unlocking national greatness.
The summit placed a strong focus on Pakistan’s digital future. Global experts shared frameworks and successful case studies on how digital economies are reshaping development trajectories. Michael Foley, Advisor at Watu Global, drew lessons from Africa’s approach to digital inclusion, emphasizing the importance of affordability and private-sector innovation. Prof. Michael Sung, Chairman of CarbonBlue Innovations and Founding Director at Zhejiang International Business School, stressed the need for interoperability in digital finance ecosystems, stating that programmable economies will define the future.
Maz Hussain from KPMG Saudi Arabia spoke about the potential for Pakistan to become a regional IT hub. He emphasized the need to embrace artificial intelligence and build systems that encourage intelligent, innovation-driven development. In a session titled What Matters Now, SAP Pakistan’s Managing Director Saquib Ahmad led a thought-provoking discussion on Asia’s readiness for digital disruption.
VEON Group’s Chief Financial Officer Burak Özer highlighted that Jazz has already invested over $10.9 billion in Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. He shared that over 25% of Jazz’s revenue now comes from digital services, reflecting the group’s strategy to deliver digital solutions in health, finance, education, and entertainment. He described this approach as critical not just for sustainable growth, but for societal impact as well.
Industry leaders also shared insights on the evolving labor landscape in an AI-driven world. Abdul Haseeb from TMC Private Limited stated that the skillset for future jobs will emphasize problem-solving and critical thinking over traditional coding. Usman Asif, CEO of Devsinc, added that engineers must be trained to stay ahead of AI developments. Saqib Ahmad Khan of GBM pointed out that organizational readiness and user confidence are key enablers of transformation, while PTCL’s Asif Ahmad echoed the importance of preparing both users and teams for global competition.
In another standout session titled The Symphony of Ecosystems, speakers addressed how local industries can tap into global trade trends. Fauji Fertilizer’s CEO Jahangir Piracha emphasized that technology will be pivotal in ensuring food security across Pakistan’s vast agricultural base, especially as the company works to feed over 40 million people across 55 million acres.
LIIBS 2025 showcased Pakistan’s collective ambition to adapt, innovate, and lead in a complex and rapidly changing global environment. It brought clarity to the challenges and sparked actionable insights to harness the country’s vast potential.