Karachi: The 6th Edition of The Future Summit concluded on Thursday with eminent foreign and local delegates speaking on diverse topics aimed at recommending a futuristic direction to the corporate sector, policymakers, and stakeholders of the country. Hosted by Nutshell Group, the Summit continued to explore the realm of disruption at a local hotel in Karachi.

The first panel discussion focused on innovating the future. It was moderated by Usman Yousaf, Director, Nutshell Communications; Chairman, ProPakistani. The panelists included Michael Hartmann, Chief Business Officer, Fintech Galaxy; Anna Tutova, CEO, Coinstelegram, public speaker, Fortune Media Journalist; Dereck Hoogenkamp, and others highlighted the importance of digital future, and implications of various digital technologies that have disrupted the industries for a better tomorrow, such as Artificial Intelligence, metaverse, blockchain.

This was followed by a panel discussion on the need for disruptive technologies, moderated by Jimmy Nguyen, CEO, Blockchain for All. The panelists included Muhammad Salman Anjum, Founder & CEO, InvoiceMate, UAE; Vasilisa Marinchuk, Director of International Relations, Centre Blockchain of Catalonia. Speaking about the metaverse, Vasilisa Marinchuk said, ‘The Metaverse does not exist to replace the real world, it is to extend it.’ Having spent more than 12 years in the UAE, Muhammad Salman Anjumsaid, ‘In Arab countries, you do not work with projects or investors; you work with people.’ The next panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Chairperson, Pakistan Stock Exchange, SSGC & Karandaaz. She mentioned the challenges faced by Pakistan today, ‘The level of foreign exchange reserves is worrisome. Inflation is at a historic high. PSX market capitalization is at the slowest. The eighth session titled ‘Emerging Issues’ began with an address by Mohammad Shoaib, CFA, Chief Executive Officer, Al Meezan Investment Management Limited, who said, ‘The focus of Islamic Finance is on value addition in the form of goods or services.’

Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL, Zarrar Hasham Khan, focused on important issues around oppression, scarcity and inequality, disease and overcrowding, environmental destruction, and constant surveillance. ‘When we talk about disruption, Pakistan is severely triggered by these factors. It is not the availability of technology but the disparity in technology that we must prepare for. We must learn to create our own Utopia to combat Dystopia,’ he added. He also highlighted areas of innovation deficiency, healthcare inadequacy, financial exclusion, and information dissymmetry.

The address by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman (Rtd), Pakistan's Chief of Air Staff (2015-2018) and Chief Executive Strategic Engagements, Nutshell Group, focused on key takeaways from the Summit. He said, ‘Disruption is not about technology and businesses only. Disruption is needed in the public sector for good governance. A good handshake between the public and private sectors is required to make progress. And that is what the primary mandate of Nutshell Group in creating these platforms is.’

Senator Dr. Musadik Malik, Minister of State, Ministry of Energy, closed the Summit with his take on the importance of economic transformation and industrial development to pull Pakistan out of its multi-faceted challenges.

TFS 6th Edition, with two days of intense discussions and collective thinking, created a vibrant platform, with promises for a bright future.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 17 2023

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