Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zeeshan Shakir University of the West of Scotland (UWS), UK | Dr. Zeeshan achieved a B.E. in Electrical Engineering from NEDUET, Karachi, an MSc in Communications, Control, and Digital Signal Processing, and a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. He received £3M+ in research funding from various sources. He has been actively involved in industry collaborative projects, published 150+ research articles, won multiple research awards, and held leadership roles in IEEE conferences. He is appointed as technical program chair for IEEE WCNC 2023 and IEEE Smart Grid Communications. He is a fellow of Higher Education Academy, UK; and a member of IASLE. He provided expert advice to the Scottish Parliament on the impact of Covid-19 on digital infrastructure, energy, education, and healthcare as a member of the Scottish Parliament Framework Agreement on the Covid-19 Pandemic. | Ms. Zehra Aneek Ernst & Young Pakistan | A leader focused on making a transformational impact in the Sustainability and Energy space. Zehra Aneek has 20+ years of cross-functional sectorial experience across Sustainability, cleantech, Climate Change, Corporate Governance, Transformational Strategy and Communications. Currently, she leads the Sustainability and Climate Change unit at EY Pakistan. Previously she was Director ESG and Sustainability at K-Electric Limited. She has also been associated with British American Tobacco, KFC Pakistan and Chevron at various senior Sustainability and Communications roles. She is Member, of the International Society for Sustainability Professionals (ISSP)-USA and Member Energy Expert Platform, Global Women Network in Energy Transition (GWNET)-Associate member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and Member We Power-World bank. She is a Chairperson of the ‘Energy Circle’, LEAN-IN Pakistan. Mentor for Global Climate Launchpad, Mentor Women in Social Enterprise and Girl2023. She is member board of trustee at Concern for Children and also sits on the advisory board of ROSHNI, a not for profit working on children safety and welfare. She is a frequent speaker and contributor at various Climate, Energy, ESG and Diversity related national and global forums. She also sits on the jury of various Global Environmental and Social initiatives | Mr. Zarak Khan Deputy Director SME, Housing & Sustainable Finance Department, SBP | Mr. Zarak Khan serves as Deputy Director in SME, Housing & Sustainable Finance Department at the State Bank of Pakistan. A PhD scholar in Economics with over seven (07) years of experience in development finance, Mr. Khan specializes in green banking and overall sustainability. He has been instrumental in designing and implementing transformative policy frameworks, including the Green Banking Guidelines, the Environmental & Social Risk Management (ESRM) Framework, and the development of Pakistan's National Green Finance Taxonomy. He has collaborated extensively with leading multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, IFC, and ADB on technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives. Mr. Khan remains committed to advancing green finance and fostering sustainable economic growth. | Ms. Ambreena Ahmed Director Teacher's Resource Centre (TRC) | Ambreena Ahmed is the Director of Teachers’ Resource Centre (TRC), a pioneering education institution in Pakistan working on quality reforms, especially teachers’ development, since 1986. She is a versatile professional working for the last 23 years who has designed and led diverse projects in both public and private sectors for education communities across Pakistan. She has recently curated a first of its kind climate change education initiative called CANDLE and has led the development and launch of Pakistan’s Introductory Curriculum on Climate Change Education (grades 1 to 10) along with an interactive teachers’ toolkit for introducing student led climate change pedagogy in schools. She firmly believes that teachers have the power to transform education and is continually working to further strengthen TRC as an empowering platform for teachers’ professional development offering both locally and internationally accredited qualifications. Ambreena has a deep admiration for people who are compassionate and intelligent. She believes kindness alone can solve most of humanity’s problems. She also made it to the Ponds’ 100 Miracle Women list of 2015 | Mr. Mumtaz Hussain Chair IEEE Young Professionals (YP), Karachi | Mumtaz Hussain, a Computer Science graduate from SMI University, Karachi, Pakistan. With nearly seven years of diverse professional experience, he is actively engaged in academic research and has authored six publications in national and international journals, conferences, and a book. His research interests span Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, Social Engineering, Data Privacy, Artificial Intelligence & Ethics, and Artificial Intelligence in Cybercrime (AICC). An IEEE member since 2018, Mumtaz has been the Chair of IEEE Young Professionals (YP) Karachi Section since 2022, where he has driven collaborations and secured findings to support various educational initiatives. Additionally, he is the founder of The Human Tales (THT), a non-profit social initiative focused on promoting a peaceful and inclusive society by aligning with the United Nations’ 16th Sustainable Development Goal, which emphasizes peace, justice, and strong institutions. | Engr. Abubakar Ismail Head of Energy & Sustainability Amreli Steels Limited | Engineer Abubakar Ismail is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in the energy sector. Having served in diverse roles across organizations ranging from utilities like NTDC and KE to multinational giants such as Siemens and Alstom, he brings a breadth of knowledge to the table. Currently, he spearheads the Energy & Sustainability Division at Amreli Steels Limited, showcasing a deep dedication to driving sustainable initiatives within the industry. Passionate about energy, sustainability, and emerging technologies, he is always eager to share his expertise and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in these fields. | Mr. Yasir Husain Director, Climate Action Centre (CAC) | Yasir Husain aka Yasir Darya is the director of the Climate Action Centre CAC. He is a Pakistani artist, activist, and futurist known for his work on building the urban and rural capacity for an equitable climate future. He is the founder of Darya Lab, a creative think-tank focused on using culture and technology to address the climate crisis. Darya is also a co-founder of the Green Pakistan Coalition, a network of organizations advocating for environmental protection through legislation and litigation. His work often explores the intersection of technology, art, and ecology. One of his notable projects is "Air Rider," an interactive art installation that allows users to experience air pollution data through a live performance. Darya's work has been featured in exhibitions and publications worldwide, and he has received recognition for his contributions to climate activism and art. He continues to be a leading voice in the fight to prepare our society from climate damage and a driving force in promoting smart green solutions for a better future. | Dr. Seema Ansari Advisor to the Rector, Former Associate Dean, College of Engineering and Sciences at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM) | Dr. Seema Ansari holds a Ph.D. in Telecommunication Engineering from the University of Malaga, Spain, and an MS-CS/Telecommunication from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, USA. Currently an Associate Professor and Advisor to the Rector since February 2022, she previously served as Associate Dean of Engineering & Sciences at IoBM. With 39 years of academic and management experience, she has contributed to prestigious institutions like Staffordshire University (UK), APIIT-Malaysia, and top universities in Pakistan. She led APIIT Karachi Campus and secured HEC recognition for collaborative degree programs. Her research focuses on Underwater Communications, IoT, IoUT, and 5G/6G networks, with contributions to JCR journals (W-Category), conferences, and book chapters published by Springer and IGI Global. She is a reviewer for international Journals. | Dr. Samina Kidwai Biological Oceanographer / Marine Biologist / Ecologist, Independent Consultant | Oceanographer with 30 years of research experience, 27 years at the National Institute of Oceanography, Government of Pakistan. Served the last 3 years as the Director General (CEO) of the National Institute of Oceanography, Government of Pakistan. Currently appointed as Honorary Professor, State Key Laboratory for Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, P.R. China. Representative of Integrated Marine Biogeocchemistry and Ecosystem Research (IMBeR) in Pakistan. Technical Advisor for a project of the Teacher Resource Centre (TRC), Karachi, Pakistan for Climate Change in the school curriculum of Pakistan, a project of US Consulate, Karachi. Member of the Working Group No 9, “Skills, Knowledge and Technology for All, of the Ocean Decade Vision 2030” published by UN June 2024. National Representative in the IOCINDIO, elected member to the Executive Council Group IV of UNESCO Inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and member of the National Committee of SCOR (Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research). Contributor to Pakistan preparedness for international programs such as the UN SDG14, Blue Economy, UN OCEAN DECADE program 2021-2030 & IIOE-2. Coordinated two international collaborations of NIO with China. Committee member of the Regional Whale Shark Conservation in the Arabian Region Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Qatar. More than 60 scientific publications (scientific journals/peer reviewed with impact factor, recognised, book chapters, project/technical reports, general interest articles etc.). Research interests include Biological Oceanography, (zoo)plankton ecology, bio-physical interactions and coastal deep-sea interface and its effects on plankton ecology, food-web dynamics using biomarkers, the Northwest Arabian Sea, island and deltaic ecosystems and the impact/resilience to climatic variability on marine ecosystems, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). | Prof. Dr. Noman Ahmed Dean in the Faculty of Architecture and Sciences at NEDUET | Professor Dr Noman Ahmed currently serves as a Professor and Dean in the Faculty of Architecture and Sciences at NED University. His extensive background includes self-motivated research studies on developmental issues, particularly infrastructural planning, and management. Dr Ahmed has also worked as a consultant for international agencies, NGOs, and government organizations both in Pakistan and abroad. Among his notable achievements, Dr Ahmed has authored several recent books, including ‘Water Supply in Karachi: Issues and Prospects’ and ‘Karachi: The Land Issue’, which provide insights into urban design from the perspective of Karachi. His contributions have earned him prestigious awards, such as the ‘Best Teacher Award’ from the Higher Education Commission, the Dr Akhter Hameed Khan Memorial Award from the Pakistan Council of Social Sciences, and the Best Writer Award on Environment and Development from the All Pakistan Newspaper Society. Additionally, he was honored with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, bestowed upon him on 23rd March 2021.Dr Ahmed’s influence extends beyond academia. He holds the position of Chair Holder and Network Coordinator for the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Urban Regions at NED University. Furthermore, he actively contributes to public discourse by writing on development issues in Pakistani newspapers. | Mr. Shahid Lutfi Director, Exponent Engineers (Pvt) Ltd | Mr. Shahid Lutfi is the Director of the Environmental Engineering Department. Has more than 20 years of professional experience in the field of Environmental Engineering. He has received M.S. Environmental Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA, in September 1993. Mr. Lutfi is responsible for planning and scheduling of projects, report generation, computer-based time scheduling and planning, coordination with clients and negotiations etc. He has conducted many environment studies and audits, Environment impact Assessment and Environmental Baseline studies. He is a member of Pakistan Engineering Council, Assessment Association, and Assessment Water Works Association | Dr. Mehmood Ali Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering, NEDUET | Dr. Mehmood Ali, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering, NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi with a background of 28 years career of industry and academia progressive experience in conducting, supervising and planning research on biofuels and bioenergy from vegetable oil seeds/ agricultural waste and microalgal biomass. He completed his BEng and MEng in Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Engineering from NED University, Karachi, Pakistan in 1995 and 2001 respectively. Then finished his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK and published 40 research articles in reputed journals/ conferences and presented research findings at different local and international forums. His research experience includes biofuels (environmentally friendly fuels) production, bioenergy generation from agricultural residues, carbon capture technologies (microalgae cultivation), Solar drying systems, Energy conservation and Sustainable energy technologies. | Dr. Muhammad Ali Ismail Professor and Chairman Department of Computer and Information systems Engineering, NEDUET | Dr. Ali Ismail received ME in Computer Systems from NED University and holds a Ph.D. in High-Performance Computing and Parallel Processing from NED University. He completed a Post Doctorate in "Automatic Design Space Exploration and Multi-Objective Optimization" from Lucian Blaga University Sibiu, Romania. He has authored 45+ research papers and book chapters, presented at international conferences, and delivers keynote speeches. He is a member of PEC, IET, IEEE, and others. He is awarded best paper honors and Research Productivity Award in 2015. He is also the in charge of the High-Performance Computing Center, NED UET and head the Exascale Open Lab as a part of national center of Data Analytics and Cloud Computing. | Mr. Saqib Zaidi Chief Operating Officer Reon Energy Limited | Saqib holds a bachelor’s degree from NED University and a postgraduate degree from the University of Liverpool. Saqib has over a decade of experience in digital transformation & operations strategy, change management, and customer-centric process design & implementation. He has previously worked with Siemens for 6 years and other renowned organizations in the middle east. | Mr. Ameen Ahmed Director Operations, Dawlance | Mr Ameen Ahmed Joined Dawlance in August 1995 as a Trainee Engineer. He has BE in Computer Systems Engineering from NED University of Engineering & Technology and an MBA from Florida Green University. he is a Certified Quality Professional, Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 50001. He is currently serving as Director Operations responsible for Production, Maintenance, Energy, Sustainability and Digital Manufacturing activities in 3 Dawlance Group of Company Factories located in Karachi and Hyderabad. With a 28 years' experience, Ameen has a proven background of successfully implementing Sustainability initiatives, Management Systems, Quality Assurance, Occupational Health and Safety , Administration and Digitalization in home appliance Manufacturing, He excels in building Agile teams, Optimizing Processes, Energy Conservation, Enhancing Product Quality and Decreasing Factory Transformation Costs. | EY Discussion Panelists: | Mr. Abbas Ali Partner, Consulting Services, EY Ford Rhodes | Mr. Abbas Ali is a Partner in Consulting Services at EY Ford Rhodes and leads the Government-Public Sector, Financial Services and Sustainability advisory services. With over 20 years of experience working in multiple domains including transformation, institutional reform, landscape / ecosystem assessments, and sectoral studies. As a Consulting leader Abbas has led multiple large-scale deliveries for some of the largest Development Agencies, and Development Finance Institutions, including project assessments for financing. | Ms. Zehra Aneek Director, Sustainability Services, EY Ford Rhodes | Zehra is the Director of Sustainability Services at EY Ford Rhodes, with 24 years of diverse experience across sectors such as Energy, Oil & Gas, Utilities, FMCG, and Food & Beverage. She specializes in various sustainability and climate disciplines, including ESG due diligence, Clean Tech Transition, green project evaluation, Climate Finance, Diversity & Inclusion, and Sustainability Standards like IFC PS Standards. Zehra has led projects on ESG integration, ESRM, Cleantech, and climate resilience infrastructure, and has played a key role in integrating ESG practices in organizations like K-Electric Limited, Pakistan Oxygen, and EBM. | Mr. Mustafa Diwan Director of Operations & Marketing, Gatron Industries Ltd. | Gatron is the largest producer of Polyester Filament Yarn in Pakistan. While Novatex has consistently ranked among the country’s largest non textile exporter. Both companies are part of the larger G&T group which includes companies such as Bonanza, Mustaqim and Krystalite among others. Mustafa has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California. In addition to his work within the G&T group, Mustafa has also contributed to the Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a member of its Executive Committee. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Employers Federation of Pakistan. His experience spans across multiple sectors, showcasing his engagement in both corporate operations and industry affairs. | Ms Muneeba Haroon Chief Operating Officer The Green Ark | Muneeba Haroon is a dynamic business development professional with a proven track record in strategic planning, operational management, and sustainability initiatives. As the Chief Operating Officer at TGA Sustainability Pvt Ltd, founded in 2022, she plays a pivotal role in driving the company's mission to create a value chain in the circular economy. TGA specializes in providing recycling solutions for post-industrial and post-consumer waste, producing recycled polymer resins, and innovating products from non-recycled waste to reduce landfill impact. Muneeba's leadership ensures operational efficiency, business expansion, and strong stakeholder partnerships, aligning with TGA's sustainability goals. Her ability to navigate complex challenges and implement effective solutions has been instrumental in positioning TGA as a leader in sustainable waste management. | Ms. Attiyah Inaam Head of Corporate Communication, Sustainability & PR EBM | Attiyah is the Head of Corporate Communications, sustainability & PR at EBM. With over 19 years of experience in corporate communication, sustainability, and public relations. She leads sustainability initiatives and manages executive-level communication and reputation management. She also served as Manager of Communications & Resource Development at a non-profit from January 2011 to May 2013. Earlier roles include ABM & Senior Revenue Management Analyst at Pakistan International Airlines and Assistant Manager at United Bank Limited. Attiyah is passionate about change and She works with diverse groups to solve problems, seeing them as potential opportunities. She loves telling stories that sell brands and their legacy, bringing people together for common causes, and cultivating relationships every day | Dr. Tehmina Ayub Professor, Department of Civil engineering,NEDUET | Dr. Tehmina Ayub is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at NED University of Engineering & Technology in Karachi, Pakistan. She holds a PhD from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia. Her research specializes in High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete beams and sustainable materials, with a focus on circularity. Dr. Ayub has served in various esteemed academic and engineering roles, contributing to numerous projects, including structural design and conservation. She has secured several grants for research on sustainable materials and concrete durability. Her work includes studies on the use of recycled concrete aggregates and the development of eco-friendly cement blends. Dr. Ayub's commitment to sustainability and circularity in construction materials underscores her contributions to the field, making her a valuable asset to both academia and industry. | |