Staff Report
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). 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.
