Trending
The Future of Finance Summit 2026 brought together senior policymakers, regulators, financial-sector leaders, investors and professional accountants to discuss Pakistan’s changing financial landscape and the path towards sustainable economic growth.
Organised by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMA Pakistan), the Karachi edition was held at the Pearl Continental Hotel under the theme “Innovation in Financial Sector and Sustainable Value Creation.”
The summit focused on financial innovation, capital-market development, digital transformation, financial inclusion, consumer confidence, Islamic finance and sustainable value creation.
Opening the summit, Azeem Hussain Siddiqui, President of ICMA Pakistan, outlined the institution’s history and development.
He highlighted ICMA Pakistan’s contribution to the management accounting profession. He also noted its role in improving financial management, governance and professional skills in the country.
PREDAXIS Opens New Dialogue on AI, Creativity and Pakistan’s Changing Communications Industry
Muhammad Yasin, Vice President of ICMA Pakistan and Chairman of the Events Organizing Committee, presented an overview of the summit.
He outlined its main objectives and the key areas discussed during the event.
Khurram Schehzad, Advisor to the Finance Minister, addressed the summit as a Guest of Honour.
He said Pakistan had moved from macroeconomic stabilisation towards a more sustainable, private sector-led growth path.
According to Schehzad, structural reforms, improving investor confidence and stronger economic fundamentals are supporting this transition.
He highlighted progress in economic growth, fiscal stability and the external sector. He also pointed to improvements in foreign exchange reserves and Pakistan’s sovereign credit outlook.
The advisor said the government was continuing reforms in several areas. These include privatisation, state-owned enterprises, energy, taxation, public debt management, pensions and digitisation.
He also highlighted efforts to improve access to finance.
Schehzad pointed to positive trends in private-sector credit, capital-market activity and new company registrations.
He said investor participation was also showing encouraging signs. Interest in Pakistan’s privatisation and investment opportunities is growing among both domestic and international investors.
The government, he said, is focusing on reducing the cost of doing business and improving access to finance.
Greater support is also being directed towards industries, exporters, small and medium-sized enterprises and agriculture.
The summit also highlighted the growing role of Islamic finance in Pakistan’s financial system.
Schehzad pointed to Sukuk as an important tool for expanding investment opportunities.
He said Islamic finance can help broaden the country’s investment base and provide new avenues for investors.
The discussions also examined how innovation and digital transformation can make financial services more accessible and efficient.
The summit brought together representatives from financial institutions, regulators, businesses and professional bodies.
Sessions explored the role of innovation, digital transformation and sound governance in building a stronger financial system.
Participants also discussed financial inclusion and investor confidence. Islamic finance and sustainable value creation remained important themes throughout the discussions.
The speakers stressed the need for greater cooperation between policymakers, regulators and the private sector.
They said such collaboration can help create a more resilient and trusted financial ecosystem.
Concluding his address, Schehzad said Pakistan’s future growth strategy depends on three key pillars.
He described macroeconomic stability as the foundation, structural reforms as the enabler and the private sector as the engine of sustainable growth.
The summit reaffirmed ICMA Pakistan’s commitment to creating dialogue between policymakers, regulators, industry leaders and professionals.
The institute said it will continue contributing to policy discussions, professional development and efforts to support sustainable economic growth in Pakistan.
Guests of Honour and distinguished participants included Ahmer Elahi, Deputy Auditor-General (Policy), Office of the Auditor-General of Pakistan; Ashfaq Yousuf Tola, Advisor and Immediate Past President of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) and former Minister of State of Pakistan; Farrukh H. Sabzwari, CEO and Managing Director of Pakistan Stock Exchange; Kabeer Naqvi, Entrepreneur in Residence at ABHI; Ghulam Mustafa Qazi, Chairman of the TSPD Committee, ICMA; and Hakim Ali Jatoi, Chairman of the Karachi Branch Council, ICMA.
Copyright © 2026 99News. All Rights Reserved.
[…] Future of Finance Summit 2026 Highlights Pakistan’s Push for Financial Reform and Sustainable Gro… […]