GEC NEWS WIREThe World CIO 200 Summit 2021 successfully held the Pakistan edition on 6th October 2021 at the GCF Virtual Arena. Carrying forward its legacy of the past five years, this year, the roadshow is going to cover 36+ countries and provide a platform for 200+ exhibitors with 300+ engaging sessions. Over 4,000 C-Level executives will be recognised in the 2021 edition.
The event partners of The World CIO 200 Summit were Infoblox, F5, Exclusive Networks, BMB, Laserfiche Veritas, Finesse and Arcon. The World CIO 200 Summit has four award categories including Legend CIO, Leader CIO, Master CIO, and Next-generation CIO:
- Legend CIO: Lifetime achievement awards.
- Master CIO: Experience of more than 15-20 years and unparalleled technological experience in a career life span.
- Legend CIO: Experience of 10-15 years and multiple domain expertise.
- Next-generation CIO: Experience of 5-10 years or less and undertaken mammoth projects in a less span of time.
The World CIO 200 Summit- Pakistan edition was hosted by Gurleen Kaur and opened by Anushree Dixit Global Head, Content and Strategic Alliances.
During the event, there were four-speaker keynote speakers and one-panel discussion. The event was followed by World CIO 200 awards. The event was streamed live from the virtual arena and on Vimeo also.
Here are the highlights of the various speaker keynote presentations.
Role of special technology zones to energise the technology investment ecosystem in Pakistan
Abdul Rahim Ahmad talked about the role of special Technology Zones to energise the technology investment ecosystem in Pakistan in The World CIO 200 Summit and said “in recognition to the crucial need to harness the opportunity of the digital age, the prime minister has issued a mandate to establish the special technology zone authorities which will provide legislative administration support for the development of the national technology sector. I am very pleased to inform you all the bill was passed last week, and the honourable president of Pakistan signed the bill yesterday which has resulted in this turning into an act. So, this body under the cabinet division of the Government of Pakistan will work to develop the technology-driven knowledge ecosystem and encourage innovative solutions and futuristic entrepreneurship. Special Technology Zones Authority- STZA will develop a special technology zone across Pakistan to provide special incentives to attract investors and technology companies to partner with the government and provide one-window facilitation to local and international companies in the special technology zones.”
Zero-Trust DDI Model
Ahmad Al Abbadi, Regional Sales Manager- UAE, Levant and Pakistan, Infoblox discussed what is Zero-Trust DDI Model is, why zero-trust and why now and said the Infoblox is a world-class security DDI solution provider that works with thousands of clients around the world helping them to their journey into digital. Infoblox production technology is a core element of the zero-trust cyber security architecture.” He also highlighted zero-trust and said security is a must, so we should never trust and always verify.
Cross Border panel: Leadership in Post Pandemic – cross-border view
The panel discussion was moderated by Syed Abdul Qadir, Director- Technology Consulting and Risk Assurance, A. F. Ferguson and Company with panelists including Faisal Anwar CIO, United Bank Limited, Muzammil Athar, Business Head- Muller and Phipps Pakistan and Shakeel Ahmed, GM and Head of IT, Unity Stores Corporation of Pakistan and they talked about changes happening in the industry post-pandemic.
IT Strategy 2025
Syed Aun M. Bhukari, CEO- Apollo Telecom addressed a session on IT Strategy 2025 and highlighted the current pandemic represents the most drastic and profound change in the corporate climate in decades and said, “The major changes during the pandemic are the rapid pace of technical change, the increasing power of social media to influence customer behaviour, and the rapid follow of private capital into aggressive capital start-ups.”
M&P and its Digital Transformation Journey
Kamran Nishat, MD and CEO – Muller and Phipps Pakistan talked about how Covid-19 increased digitalization at The World CIO 200 Summit – Pakistan edition and said “Covid-19 has radically transformed many aspects of human life and global society of today and for years to come. A key aspect of transformation has been increased digitalisation and connectivity.”
He also shared some learning of these challenging times and said “a coronavirus pandemic is a crisis and is here to stay. While it is bringing many serious challenges, it is also acting as a catalyst for economic, societal, personal, and corporate change. The scale of the change and speed the speed in which it is happening is highlights the fact that companies are facing once a generation shift from computerisation to digitalisation. The challenging economic outlook and continued uncertainty are forcing CEOs to contemplate some difficult choices.”
The announced winners of The World CIO 200 Summit – Pakistan edition include:
| Name | Designation | Organisation |
| Ahmed Shaheryar Khan | CIO | Advans Pakistan Microfinance Bank |
| Arbab Sikander | CIO | Keenu- Wemsol Private Limited |
| Jawad Khalid Mirza | Chief Information Security Officer | Askari Bank Limited |
| M. Umar Ilyas | Group EVP | PTCL |
| Nauman Ahmad Khan | Head of IT | Tufail Group |
| Farhan Tufail | CIO | United Industries Limited |
| Shah Abdullah Raza | Group General Manager Information Technology | Ismail Industries Limited |
| Syed Izhar ul Hassan | General Manager IT | Chase UP – Your Shopping Partner |
| Syed Zeeshan ul haq | SVP – Head of PMO and Governance | Sindh Bank |
| Naeem Mobashar | General Manager MIS | Airblue Airline |
| Asif Iqbal | CISO | MCB Islamic Bank Limited |
| Syed Aun M. Bukhari | CEO and CIO | Apollo Telecom Private Limited |
| Muhammad Haroon Khan | Head of IT Infrastructure | Khushhali Microfinance Bank |
| Sahibzada Ali Mahmud | Managing Director | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board |
| Mutahir Hussain | Head Of IT | Team A Ventures Private Limited |
| Faisal Islam | Head of IT and Digital Transformation | Alkaram Studio |
| Ashfaque Ahmed | General Manager Technology | EFU Life Assurance Limited |
| Salman Siddiqui | CIO | Business Logics Private Limited |
| Shafqat Niaz | Head of IT | Nishat Mills Limited |
| Syed Muhammad anwer | Head of Information technology | Dawood Family Takaful |
| Wadood Zia | HoIT/CISO | Sindh Insurance Limited |
| Taha Iqbal | Head of IT | Pakistan Credit Guarantee Company Limted |
| Amir Siddiqui | Chief Information Security Officer | U Microfinance Bank Limited |
| Nasruddin Syed | Head of Information Technology | Agriauto Industries Limited |
| MUHAMMAD QASIM BHAM | GROUP HEAD OF IT | Soorty Enterprises |
| Faraz Quddusi | Chief Technology Officer | QBS CO SMC Private Limited |
| Nadir Hussain | Head of Information Technology | Aman Health Care Services |
| Sheikh Junaid Hussain Siddiqui | SVP- Head of Data Center Operations and IT Helpdesk | Summit Bank Limited |
| Sohaib Khan | CTO | HCS Consulting Services |
| Rehan Shabbir Khan | Head of IT Department | Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance |
| Shahid Sattar | Chief Technology Officer | Samsons Group |
| Syed Nabigh Raza Alam | Head of IT | GSK Pakistan |
| Zahid Ali | Consultant – CIO | Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination |
| Farhan Iqbal | Additional Director | DHA |
| Awais Ejaz | Group Head Information Security | Allied Bank Limited |
| Mudasser Farooq Mian | Head of Technology | The City Schools Network |
| Amir Akhtar Jamili | Chief Information Security Officer | National Clearing Company of Pakistan |
| Zaid Farooqui | Head of IT | English Biscuit Manufacturers Private Limited |
| Waqas Ahmed | General Manager – IT / CIO | Feroze 1888 Mills Limited |
| Tauseef Aslam | Business Security Officer- CISO role | Telenor |
| Zeeshan Jaffery | Chief Information Security Officer | Dubai Islamic Bank |
| Wasim-Uz-Zaman Siddiqui | IT Manager | Hinopak Motors Limited |
| Muhammad Tayyab Khan | CIO/IT Head | Continental Biscuits Limited |
| Abdul Rahim Ahmad | Chief Information Officer | Special Technology Zones Authority |
| Muhammad Mahmood | CIO | The Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank Limited |
| Waseem Rasheed | GM IS /CIO | Tapal Tea Private Limited |
| Syed Ata Hussain | CIO | Sindh Bank Limited |
| Waqar Manzoor | Chief Information Officer | Fatima Memorial System |
| Shakeel Ahmed | General Manager / Head of IT | Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan |
| NAUMAN YAQOOB | Chief Information Officer | Nishat Group of Industries – DGKCC |
| Faisal Anwar | Chief Information Officer | United Bank Limited |
| Suhail Khan | Director General- SP and CS | National Information Technology Board |
| Javed Jabbar | Chief Information Security Officer | SAMBA Bank Limited |
| Mahmood siddique | CIO | Pakistan Stock Exchange |
| Imran Soomro | CIO | Dubai Islamic Bank |
| Shakeel Akhter | Chief Information Officer | The Indus Hospital |
| Iftikhar Arif | General Manager Information Technology and Ecommerce | Muller and Phipps Pakistan Private Limited |
| Mashhood Rahman | CTO | U Microfinance Bank Limited |
| ALI AZIZ | Head of IT- SMIT | National Testing Service – Pakistan |
| Dr Imran Batada | CTO and Director IoBM – CIT | Institute of Business Management |
| Zubair Elahi | Head IT | Apna Microfinance Bank Limited |
| Athar Chaudhry | Head of IT | IGI Holdings |
| Syed Ijlal Jafri | Group Director Information Technology | Martin Dow Limited |
| Umair Ismail | Head of Global Information Security | The Aga Khan University and Hospitals |
| Azfar Sabih | Chief Information Officer | Jubilee General Insurance |
| Faisal Memon | Unit Manager ICT- South | Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited |
| Muhammad Usman Akram | Head Of Information Technology | Arif Habib Limited |
| Syed Abdul Qadir | Director Technology and Cyber Risk Assurance | PwC Pakistan |
| Khawaja Tanveer Saleem | CIO / Imparting IT Leadership | United Energy Pakistan |
| Ammar Siddiqui | VP Enterprise Solutions | Aveeros ERP Private Limited |
| Muhammad Maad | Chief Information Security Officer | Faysal Bank Limited |
| Faisal Hussain | Director Research and Development | The Institute of Bankers Pakistan |
| Akber Ahmed | Director IT | Patel Hospital |
| Khawaja Khurram | GM MAS | Byco |
| Shaukat Ali Khan | Global Chief Information Officer for Asia, Africa and United Kingdom | Aga Khan University and Hospitals |
| Yaser Ejaz | Head of Information System | Adamjee Insurance Company |
| Noor us Samad | Chief Information Officer | Thal Limited |
| Khwaja Ahmar Imam | Head of Enterprise Systems and Applications Services | Hilton Pharma Private Limited |
| Muhammad Ali | CTO | LearningCert Private Limited |
| Mehzad Sahar | Group Head InfoSec | Engro Corp |
| Muhammad Jawed | CIO | Pak Suzuki Motor Co Limited |
| Faisal Qasim | Head of IS, QA and ERM | Jubilee Life Insurance Company Limited |
| Muhammad Bilal Khan | Head of IT | Shan Foods |
| Faizan Faizan | Senior Director – IT and Digital Transformation | Aviatrix Systems |
| Syed Asif Shah | Chief Information Officer | Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited |
| Shafiq UR Rehman | Chief Information Officer | National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited |
| Omer Manya | Director IT, Business Engagement | Aga Khan University and Hospitals |
| Muhammad Hussain | GM/CIO | Adamjee Life Assurance Company |
| Murtaza Lightwala | Deputy General Manager – IT | Sui Southern Gas Company Limited |
| Syed Hassan Aslam | Chief Information Security Officer | Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited |
| Kamran Mahmood | Head Technology Services | Bank Alfalah |
| Alay Raza | CISO / EVP | National Bank of Pakistan |
| Fahd Azam | CISO | Meezan Bank Limited |
| Raza Askari | Head of Information Services – Health, Hygiene and Nutrition Business | Reckitt Pakistan |
| Noman Khan | IT Manager | Arif Habib Limited |
| Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Ashraf | CISO / Head Of IT | Alfalah Insurance Company limited |
| Umair Khan | Chief Technical Officer | Digital Gravity |
| Muhammad Ahmad | Head Information Security | FINCA Microfinance Bank Limited |
| Muhammad Kamal | Head of Information Technology | Pakistan International Container Terminal Limited |
| Iftikhar Khan | Chief Information Security Officer | JS Bank Limited |
| Muhammad Yasir Khan | VP Information Technology | TATA Pakistan |
| Munir Ahmad | Executive Director/CIO | The United Insurance Company of Pakistan |
| Syed Faiq | CIO | Aisha Steel Mills Limited |
During the event, Muhammad Umer Khokhar, Managing Director, Loco Service talked about his organisation and said their company is specialised in event management especially in the B2B event. Loco Service is the only firm in the Pakistan to be associated with several international corporation events along with international IT and associations. He also concluded the event with a thank you note.
Highlights of The World CIO 200 Summit:
- Grand Finale with 2 days of networking, collaboration, knowledge sharing and CAC.
- Tech Talk: The most novel way of making your presentations come alive.
- DX Inspire Awards: Global 20 Recognition for the most Transformative Projects and Solutions.
- What is new this year
The 2021 edition is ready to build roadmaps for strategic decision making and identify yardsticks that are the key drivers of growth in the digital world. While CIOs can pick on sessions to help them fast-track their growth, the solution providers can build their brand, present their solutions and network with 500+ relevant C-level IT decision-makers flown in from 14 countries.
The top CIOs from respective countries will arrive in the United Arab Emirates for the grand finale in an all-expense-paid trip, on 5-6th December 2021 at Topaz Ballroom, Fairmont Ajman. The event will also be part of the Dubai Expo 2020.
