Lahore,October 20,2025: As technology, sustainability, and global change continue to reshape the business landscape, ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) marked Global Ethics Day 2025 with a renewed focus on strengthening ethical leadership and integrity.
Held virtually across Asia Pacific, the event brought together members, partners, and business leaders for an engaging discussion on how finance professionals can uphold trust, transparency, and accountability in an era of digital disruption and evolving societal expectations.
The session opened with reflections on the significance of ethics and ACCA’s enduring commitment to ethical leadership. In his address, Pulkit Abrol, Director – Asia Pacific, ACCA, highlighted that ethics is not a technical skill but a defining leadership quality that continues to evolve as the profession adapts to new realities.
“In a world full of complexity, ethics becomes our compass. It’s what helps us make the right decisions, not just the easy ones. At ACCA, ethics has been part of our story since day one, not as a box to tick, but as a value we live,” he said.
“The future of our profession will belong to those who lead with both competence and conscience.”
Exploring integrity in a digital era
A compelling panel discussion on “Upholding Integrity in a World of Digital Disruption” followed, featuring Gulfishan Shaikh FCCA, Executive Director and Head of Treasury and Corporate Finance at easypaisa Bank Ltd., as moderator. She was joined by Chaaminda Kumarasiri, Group Managing Director of The Lanka Hospitals Corporation; Suresh Raj Sharma, Vice Chair of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee at the United Nations; Nguy?n Trung Ngân FCCA, Tax Strategist at Deloitte Southeast Asia; and Shahzaib Sanwal FCCA, Senior Director of Consulting at EY Ford Rhodes.
Panellists discussed how emerging technologies, data governance, and evolving regulations are reshaping ethical expectations — and how finance professionals must strengthen judgement and accountability in a fast-changing environment. They emphasised that ethics cannot be an afterthought; it must be designed into systems and business processes and lived through leadership. The discussion underscored that technology and integrity are not opposing forces but partners in driving responsible innovation. Panellists urged participants to return to their organisations with a renewed commitment to ethical decision-making and values-based leadership.
Partners unite for ethical progress
The segment “Partner Perspectives: Collaboration for Ethical Progress” showcased leading voices from corporate and professional bodies who reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing ethics and accountability:
- Asim Siddiqui, Country Managing Partner, EY Ford Rhodes – “Integrity and ethical leadership are the cornerstones of sustainable business practices, guiding us to build trust and create long-term value for all stakeholders.”
- Ghulam Mustafa Qazi, President, Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP) – “Ethics cannot thrive in isolation. Collaboration among professional bodies is essential to foster an ethical culture across the global accounting community. Our renewed partnership with ACCA reflects this shared vision, working together to strengthen ethical standards and build capacity for future challenges.”
- Rauf Ali Jan FCCA, Chief Internal Auditor, Habib Bank Ltd. (HBL) – “The Bank’s partnership with ACCA highlights its shared values of due diligence and respect, as it continues to strive to promote ethical practices globally.”
- Sadaf Shabbir, CFA, FRM, Financial Advisor, VIS Credit Rating Company (Pvt) Ltd. – “While Global Ethics Day is celebrated once a year, ethical practice is a daily commitment, not a one-time event. Ongoing education and resources help members continually develop ethical decision-making skills throughout their careers.”
- Sardar Mohammad Aly Osman, Chief Internal Auditor, Engro Corporation – “Integrity is more than a principle — it’s the blueprint for lasting growth. In a world of rapid transformation, it anchors progress to purpose. True growth is measured not by profit alone, but by honesty, fairness, and trust. When integrity shapes our decisions and partnerships, transparency becomes strength and ethics drive excellence — proving that sustainable success is built only on the foundation of truth.”
- Shafaq Fauzil Azim, President & CEO, Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG) – “On World Ethics Day, PICG recognises the enduring role of boards in leading with integrity, foresight, and courage — because the future of governance depends not just on rules, but on the values we choose to uphold.”
Assad Hameed Khan, Head of ACCA Pakistan, said: “Senior finance professionals spotlighted shared ethical values and purpose with the growing embedding of digital and AI tools in the day-to-day work, clearly suggesting organisations and professionals to ensure that technology amplifies human values, and not replaces them.”
The event concluded with reflections on how ethics remains the cornerstone of professional trust and responsible leadership. Participants reaffirmed that in a rapidly evolving world, ethical competence must advance alongside technical competence, ensuring that finance professionals continue to act in the public interest.
