Karachi, December 27, 2025 — A high-level event was hosted by Pathfinder Group at the Mövenpick Hotel in Karachi, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, technologists,academics, and civil society representatives to discuss social development, interfaith harmony, digital transformation, and financial inclusion.
Chaired by Zarrar Sehgal, Chairman, Pathfinder Group, and moderated by Dr Huma Baqai, Rector MiTE and Vice Chairperson of Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR), the programme was structured into two Sessions, featuring keynote addresses and focused presentations by distinguished speakers from the public and private sectors.
Ms Nadira Panjwani, Chairperson of KCFR was the Chief Guest at the First Session. Remarks by Dr Huma Baqai was followed by a welcome address from Mr Zarrar Sehgal. Brigadier (Retd) Mujahid Alam, CEO, Enhanced Harmony Division (EHD), presented Pathfinder Group’s flagship social initiatives, highlighting their collective impact on education, poverty reduction, family welfare, and interfaith harmony. Presentations were also delivered by Ms Amaani Sehgal, Founder Providentia Books Foundation, and Ms Elena Sehgal, Founder Pathfinder Interfaith Harmony Initiative (PIFHI). In her keynote address, Ms Nadira Panjwani emphasized inclusive social development and the importance of sustainable welfare models.
The Second Session featured Mr Syed Basit Aly, Executive Director Financial Inclusion State Bank of Pakistan, as the Chief Guest. Dr Huma Baqai presented insights on Pakistan’s participation at the Pakistan Pavilion at Davos. Followed by a presentation by Shakeel Ahmed, CEO, Digital Revolution Division (DRD) and SMS Services (Pvt) Ltd, who outlined Pathfinder Group’s technology-led initiatives, showcasing AI- and IoT-enabled solutions designed to enhance efficiency, security, and competitiveness across multiple sectors.
A keynote presentation by Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Asad Ikram, President CITADEL, underscored the need to align Pakistan’s human capital with innovation, technology, and leadership development through a whole-of-nation approach. He highlighted CITADEL’s work in skill development, startup acceleration, and strategic consulting, including initiatives enabling Pakistani startups to gain international exposure at global forums.
Further perspectives were shared by Muhammad Salman Ali, CEO, Virtual Remittance Gateway (VRG), who discussed financial services innovation, digital payments, and initiatives aimed at banking the unbanked. In his keynote address, Saleem Ullah outlined the State Bank of Pakistan’s vision for financial inclusion, digital finance, and regulatory support for responsible innovation. The event concluded with remarks by Ikram Sehgal, Co-Chairman of the Pathfinder Group, and closing comments by Dr Huma Baqai, who reiterated the importance of collaboration among the public sector, private industry, and civil society. The gathering reflected Pathfinder Group’s commitment to transforming challenges into opportunities through dialogue, innovation, and inclusive partnerships.
