On 23rd August 2025, the prestigious Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi became the epicenter of innovation as it hosted the CIO 200 Summit 2025. With the theme “Dawn of a New Decade,” the summit brought together visionary CIOs, policymakers, and technology leaders in a power-packed day of knowledge, recognition, and collaboration.
Inspiring Opening Ceremony
The summit began with Qirat and the National Anthem, setting a dignified tone for the day.
This was followed by the unveiling of the World CIO Pakistan Edition and keynote addresses from distinguished personalities in this sequence:
- Dr. Erdal Ozkaya, President – Global CISO Forum
- Muhammad Umair Nizam, Event Director – ITCN Asia & World CIO Summit Pakistan
- Syed Abdul Qadir, Executive Director – PwC Pakistan
- Syed Hussain Sajjad, COO – Telec Group of Companies
- Dr. Haider Abbas, DG – National Cyber Emergency Response Team (nCERT)
- Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Former Federal Minister for Investment & Chairman – Nutshell Group
Their powerful addresses marked the official launch of a new digital era for Pakistan.
Gifts Round 1 & 🏆 Award Set 1
The excitement amplified with Unlocking Gifts & Rewards – Round 1, followed by Award Set 1, honoring Pakistan’s most outstanding tech and cybersecurity leaders for their contributions to digital excellence.
Visionary Keynotes & Dialogues
A series of influential addresses shaped the morning sessions:
- Umair Azam, CEO – Integration Xperts
- Asghar Reza, Regional Lead SE Asia – Omnissa (Keynote on Omnissa Launch)
- Saad Kaliya, Partner – PwC Pakistan
- Ahrar Naqvi, CEO – Ebryx Pvt. Ltd
- Mehwish Salman Ali, CEO – Data Vault Pakistan
- Tauseef Ur Rehman, Head – English & Business Solutions – British Council
Award Set 2 & Performance Segment
The second round of recognition, Award Set 2, honored more leaders driving Pakistan’s digital progress. This was followed by keynotes from:
- Najam Khan, CEO – Softech Microsystems
- Ahmar Azam, CEO – TriFit Fitness Clubs
and an energetic TriFit Fitness Performance, re-energizing the audience.
Lunch & Networking
A break for lunch and prayers offered participants a chance to connect, reflect, and strengthen professional bonds.
Gifts Round 2 & Strategic Dialogues
Post-lunch, Gifts Round 2 brought a wave of excitement, followed by powerful insights from:
- Mehzad Sahar, Group CISO – Engro Corporation
- Syed Muneer Bakht, Global Head Products & Strategy – NETS International
The highlight of the afternoon was the exclusive Panel Discussion on Leveraging AI for Driving Innovation & Business Efficiency, moderated by Ijlal Jafri (Group CIO – Martin Dow Group), featuring industry leaders from Engro, Fauji Fertilizer, TMC, Trillium Infosec, Katalyst Labs, and AboutXtreme.
Award Set 3
The third award segment applauded yet another group of outstanding leaders in technology and cybersecurity, reinforcing Pakistan’s growing influence on the global tech stage.
Vote of Thanks & Closing Ceremony
The summit drew to a close with:
- Vote of Thanks by Amjid Ali, Global CIO Ambassador – Oman
- Closing Remarks by Muhammad Munaf Majeed, CEC – P@SHA
Gifts Round 3 & Group Photo
The day ended on a celebratory note with Unlocking Gifts & Rewards – Round 3, followed by the Grand Group Photo Competition, capturing the unity and collaborative spirit of the global CIO community.
Celebration of Pakistan’s Digital Future
The CIO 200 Summit 2025 was not just an event; it was a celebration of leadership, recognition, and global collaboration. With world-class keynotes, exclusive awards, and elite discussions, the summit positioned Pakistan at the forefront of the digital revolution, truly heralding the Dawn of a New Decade.