Islamabad, August 23, 2025 – Renown scholar, author, entrepreneur, innovator and intellectual , Mr. Ikram Sehgal of Pathfinder Group has called upon the young generation to look beyond the horizon for their success in the repidly changing modern world. The youth of Pakistan can do everything. He said this in his concluding remarks at a discussion event at his place near Islamabad.
Under its flagship initiative the Centre for Innovation, Technological Advancement, Digital Entrepreneurs & Leadership (CITADEL), Pathfinder Group organized a discussion on “Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Trends amongst Gen Z and Young Millennials” at Amaanibagh Angoori, Islamabad, supported by Providentia Books Foundation and the Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR).
Mr. Ikram Sehgal shared his experiences to the youth from different top universities of Islamabad , present at the discussion. He gave example of his venture , opening bank account on one telephone call only without using internet. He shared that thanks to this innovation, more than 13 Million new bank accounts were opened in Pakistan.
He said , it was 100 % indigenous project of Pakistan that was acknowledged and appreciated at the World Economic Forum. He add, 80 % population of Pakistan does not have any bank account. A large number of women in Pakistan have no ID document.
” We need to change this situation. Our project of bank account on one phone call proved to be a big success as well as a remarkable facility for the general public. Anyone call 2262 and one’s account will be opened on one’s Id card number only.”
Ikram Sehgal also shared , ” I said long time ago that Pakistan and Bangladesh are two countries but one nation. We are the same. Today we can see that happening. Both countries are building close cordial relations.”
He recommended fot both countries to abolish visa for the citizens. Simplify tarrifs and duties on imports exports from each other. Have an agreement on defence , that attack on one will be considered as attack on the other.
At the topical discussion, it brought together policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs, and students from leading institutions, including NUST, Comsats University, Air University, Future World College (Roots), SZABIST, Quaid-i-Azam University, and Pakistan Global Institute (PGI). Other than eminent speakers, students also participated as panel speakers, contributing their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in Pakistan.
Speakers and panelists included Air Cdre Khalid Banuri, Kamran Jahangir (Managing Director – National Book Foundation), Mr. Kim Kyuoung Eun (Vice Chancellor – Pakistan Global Institute), Dr. Imran Akhtar (NUST), Mr. Shahid Raza (STZA), AVM Rizwan Riaz (Pro-Rector Research, Innovation & Commercialisation – NUST), Dr. Salma Malik (Associate Professor – DSS QAU), and Ikram Sehgal (Co-Chairman – Pathfinder Group).
Introduced CITADEL as Pakistan’s first privately sponsored leadership center Air Cdre Khalid Banuri stressed the importance of innovation and the role of Gen Z in shaping Pakistan’s future.
Mr. Kim Kyuoung Eun delivered an inspiring speech in Urdu, comparing technological progress in South Korea and Pakistan, and emphasizing that the youth of Pakistan hold a special place in driving the country forward through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Kamran Jahangir highlighted how Gen Z and young millennials can contribute significantly to the nation by pursuing entrepreneurship, while Imran Jattala, Regional Director – OTS Global, moderated the panel discussion and outlined key global entrepreneurial trends.
Expressing gratitude to the audience, Ikram Sehgal emphasized the significance of CITADEL as a hub for leadership and knowledge-sharing and encouraged investments in knowledge and technology to strengthen its impact.
Student representatives spoke about their personal experiences as aspiring entrepreneurs, shedding light on the challenges they face and their vision for contributing to Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in nurturing innovation, supporting young entrepreneurs, and empowering Pakistan’s next generation of leaders.
