Karachi: Pakistan’s socioeconomic potential can be unlocked by eradicating deep-rooted corruption with skilled human resource, effective processes and strict compliance. Corruption does not only retard the pace of development but also hinder government’s efforts to ensure provision of social services and poverty alleviation. The present regime is making an all-out effort for sustained socioeconomic development with healthy foreign investment to subsequently achieve the vision of a strong, progressive and prosperous Pakistan.
These views were expressed by Muhammad Zubair, Minister of State and Chairman Privatization Commission of Pakistan during Pakistan’s first-ever Internal Audit Summit – PIAS 2015, organized by TerraBiz at a local hotel in Karachi. He was delivering his keynote entitled ‘Vigilant Leadership – Challenges to Governance in Government’.
The day-long conference entitled ‘Governance, Risk and Compliance’ is endorsed by the International Association of Financial Management, whereas ICMA Pakistan and ISACA (Karachi Chapter) are the knowledge partners. The conference attracted over 250 professionals from internal audit, governance, risk and compliance disciplines besides participation from different audit firms.
Yacoob Suttar, President ICAP and MD & CEO Asia Petroleum, during his presentation, highlighted the uniqueness of internal audit function and quoted inspiring examples based on his three decades of experience. He also presented the kind of aptitude and skillset required for internal auditing professionals to flourish in the future.
Tariq Isaksson, Vice President IT Audit, Etisalat Group, UAE, during a session on ‘Impact of Information Technology on audit’, highlighted the ever growing complexities in the IT environment and presented the way IT auditors and assurance professionals can provide continuous value to their respective senior management.
Other speakers during the conference included: S. M. Shabbar Zaidi, Territory Senior Partner & Chairman, A. F. Fergusons & Co.; Farid Ahmed Khan CFA – CEO, ABL Asset Management; Muhammad Shehzad Yousuf – Group Chief Internal Auditor, PTCL; Shabbir Hashmi – Board Member Engro Corporation, Hub Power Company, UBL Fund Managers, Engro Fertilizer and Engro Powergen Limited; Lubna Farooq Malik, Director, Off-Site Supervision and Enforcement Department, Banking Service Group, State Bank of Pakistan; Zulfikar Causer, Partner, BDO Ebrahim & Co.; KhalilullahShaikh, Chief Internal Auditor, K-Electric; Haroon Ahmad – EVP Group Internal Audit, Habib Bank AG Zurich, UAE; Abbas Ali, Partner, Advisory Services, Ernst & Young; Syed FarazAnwer – Partner, Risk Advisory & Business Improvement, A. F. Fergusons & Co.; FazalGaffoor, CFO & Company Secretary, Central Depository Company of Pakistan; SajidHussain – EVP & Group Head Audit & Risk Review, United Bank Limited; MoneezaUsman Butt – Partner, KPMG TaseerHadi& Co.; HanifJakhura, CEO, Central Depository Company of Pakistan; Yasser Pirmuhammad, Director Audit & Affiliate Quality, Sanofi-Aventis Pakistan Limited; Tahir Sharif, Partner, A. F. Fergusons & Company; and Zain Ansari, Executive Director, Deloitte Pakistan, President ISACA.