By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: The Executive Development Institute (EDI) of the National School of Public Policy (NSPP), Lahore organized the Pakistan’s first-ever 3-Days “Directors’ Training Program (DTP) for State-Owned Enterprises” on Monday 10th to Wednesday 12th February, 2025.
The Executive Development Institute (EDI) is working for the continuous professional development of Officers and Executives of the Public and Private Sectors by organizing multiple activities such as Training Workshops, Policy Dialogues, Webinars/Seminars and Lecture Disussions etc.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives of Pakistan and Vice
Chairman of the Board of Governors (BoGs) of NSPP, Lahore graced the inaugural session of Pakistan’s 1st Directors’ Training Program (DTP) for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) at EDI, NSPP. The Federal Minister highlighted the importance of corporate governance and stressed the need for equipping leaders with skills to tackle the policy challenges of 21st-century and to strengthen corporate governance of Pakistan and appreciated the efforts of the Executive Development Institute (EDI).
Ahmad Nazir Warraich, Dean EDI, in his remarks emphasized the requirement set forth by the State-Owned Enterprises (Governance and Operations) Act-2023 which mandates all SOE Directors to undergo a Directors’ Training Program (DTP) for SOEs to enhance their skillset regarding SOE Corporate Governance & Legal Framework, Directors’ Duties & Functions and Financial Stewardship.
This very successful training attended by a large number of Participants from all over the country including Civil Servants/Officers from Federal & Provincial Governments, Executives from SOEs, Banking and Private Sectors. Participants hailed from OGRA, OGDCL, SNGPL, AGPR, NH&MP, Pak Railways(RAILCOP), Pakistan Mint, Armed Forces, Government of Sindh, Govenment of KPK, Government of Punjab, Port Qasim Authority, The Bank of Punjab, First Women Bank Ltd., Trading Corporation of Pakistan, The Urban Unit, PEEF and NSPP Lahore.
The eminent Guest Speakers of the Day-1 were Mr. Muhammad Anwer Sheikh, Retd. Federal Additional Secretary-Finance Division, in panel discussion with Mr. Ahmad Nazir Warraich, Dean EDI, both dilated upon the Principles of Corporate Governance and SOE Reforms Framework.
Dr. Shujat Ali, Retd. Federal Secretary talked about the Role of Government for SOEs. Mr Tariq Bajwa, Ex-SAPM on Finance & Former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan focused in details on Board Composition and Structure. The day-1 last session addressed by Dr. Ishrat Husain, Former Advisor to the Prime Minister & Former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan on Directors’ Selection and Performance Review.
On Day-2, Mr. Tariq Bajwa, Ex-SAPM on Finance & Former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan talked on Director’s Duties, Roles and Liabilities. Mr. Zafar Masud, President & CEO, Bank of Punjab, discussed the technicalites of Developing a Business Plan. Mr. Abdul Rehman Warraich, Commissioner, SECP, shared his views on the Financial and Risk Governance. Mr. Muhammad Anwer Sheikh, Retd. Federal Additional Secretary-Finance Division and Mr. Mian Nauman Kabir, Former President, LCCI, delivered a talk on Public Service Obligations (PSOs) and Competitive Neutrality. Dr. Arshad Ali, Head of Cyber Security Department, FAST University elaborated the Cyber Security Risks & Counter Measures.
On Day-3, Mr. Faisal Farid, Founder & MD of Maxim Agri & Ex-VP Marketing, Middle East & Africa, PepsiCo., shared his insights on Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest in the Panel Discussion with
Mr. Ahmad Nazir Warraich, Dean EDI. In the second session, Mr. Imtiaz Mahmood, Company Secretary, SNGPL and Dr. Yasir Mehmood, Ex-President, Lahore Stock Exchange, discussed the Repoting and Disclosure of SOEs. Mr. Kashif Noor, Military, Accouuntant General talked about Controls (External Audit, Internal Control & Audit Committee). In the last session, Mr. Salman Amin, Member, Competition Commission of Pakistan, discussed a Case-Study.
Participants exhibited a strong interest and took an active role in all question-answer sessions. The participants expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the high-quality execution of the DTP-SOEs Program by EDI, NSPP.
