Pathfinder CITADEL Launches Karachi Chapter, Bringing Youth, Technology and Industry Together for National Impact

KARACHI — September 30, 2026: Pathfinder CITADEL formally launched its Karachi Chapter on Wednesday, September 30, in partnership with Global Shapers Pakistan, bringing together leaders from industry, academia, technology, entrepreneurship and the youth ecosystem around the theme “Youth, Technology & the Future of Pakistan from Youth Potential to National Impact.” The launch was held at Pathfinder CITADEL office, Kawish Crown Plaza, Main Shahra-e-Faisal, Karachi.The launch marked an important expansion of Pathfinder CITADEL’s engagement in Karachi and established the Karachi Chapter as a platform for connecting young Pakistanis with industry needs, emerging technologies, academic knowledge, entrepreneurial ecosystems and opportunities for national and international engagement.The event opened with an address by Air Cdre (R) Khalid Banuri, Principal Advisor – Pathfinder CITADEL, who set the broader national context and highlighted Pathfinder Group’s vision, CITADEL’s journey and its three verticals. His remarks positioned the Karachi Chapter within CITADEL’s wider objective of building pathways between talent, capability and opportunity.Mr. Murtaza Lashari, Curator, Global Shapers Karachi, spoke on “Youth as Partners in Change,” highlighting the importance of engaging young people as active contributors to Pakistan’s future.The first keynote perspective on “Youth, Technology & the Future of Pakistan From Youth Potential to National Impact” was delivered by Ms. Jehan Ara, Founder & CEO, Katalyst Labs. Her address brought an industry perspective to the discussion on youth, technology and Pakistan’s evolving innovation landscape.The second keynote perspective on “From Potential to Participation: Unlocking the Power of Youth and Women in Pakistan’s Digital Future” was delivered by Mr. Salman Ali, CEO, VRG. His address highlighted the importance of expanding access to digital skills, technology and opportunity, enabling youth and women to move from potential to meaningful participation, innovation and economic impact.The centerpiece of the launch was a panel discussion titled “From Youth Potential to National Impact,” which brought together voices from Karachi’s innovation, academic, technology and entrepreneurial ecosystems. The panel featured Syed Azfar Hussain, Project Director, NIC Karachi; Dr. Samreen Hussain, Vice Chancellor, Dawood UET Karachi; Kapeel Kumar, Regional Head Digital Underwriting and Founder, The Founders Space; and Mansoor Aamir, Co-Founder, Ovel Metaverse. The discussion was moderated by Eishah of Global Shapers Karachi.The panel explored the practical pathway from youth potential to capability, with discussion around the role of education, industry exposure, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship and innovation in preparing young Pakistanis for a rapidly changing economic and technological environment.An interactive audience activity led by Mr. Qamar Abbas, Global Shapers Karachi, further translated the discussion into ideas, participation and opportunities for engagement, allowing participants to contribute directly to the conversation around youth and national development.Presenting the next phase of the initiative, Air Cdre (R) Farhan Ahmed, Director & COO, Pathfinder CITADEL, outlined “CITADEL Karachi: The Pathway Ahead.” He shared the direction for the Karachi Chapter and the avenues through which youth, institutions, founders and industry stakeholders can engage with CITADEL’s programmes and ecosystem.The event concluded with remarks by Mr. Ikram Sehgal, Co-Chairman, Pathfinder Group, who reinforced the importance of creating meaningful pathways for Pakistan’s young talent and strengthening the linkages between youth, industry, innovation and national development.The launch concluded with a networking hi-tea, providing participants from youth, industry, academia and the startup ecosystem an opportunity to exchange ideas and explore potential areas of collaboration.The launch of the Karachi Chapter represents more than the establishment of a local presence. It provides a platform through which CITADEL can engage more closely with Karachi’s diverse commercial, technology, academic and entrepreneurial ecosystem while creating pathways for young talent to access knowledge, networks, opportunities and platforms for wider impact.About Pathfinder CITADELPathfinder CITADEL is a Pathfinder Group initiative focused on technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development and strategic engagement. Through its programmes and partnerships, CITADEL connects talent, institutions, industry and entrepreneurial initiatives with emerging opportunities and the evolving needs of Pakistan’s economy.

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KARACHI — September 30, 2026: Pathfinder CITADEL formally launched its Karachi Chapter on Wednesday, September 30, in partnership with Global Shapers Pakistan, bringing together leaders from industry, academia, technology, entrepreneurship and the youth ecosystem around the theme “Youth, Technology & the Future of Pakistan from Youth Potential to National Impact.” The launch was held at Pathfinder CITADEL office, Kawish Crown Plaza, Main Shahra-e-Faisal, Karachi.The launch marked an important expansion of Pathfinder CITADEL’s engagement in Karachi and established the Karachi Chapter as a platform for connecting young Pakistanis with industry needs, emerging technologies, academic knowledge, entrepreneurial ecosystems and opportunities for national and international engagement.The event opened with an address by Air Cdre (R) Khalid Banuri, Principal Advisor – Pathfinder CITADEL, who set the broader national context and highlighted Pathfinder Group’s vision, CITADEL’s journey and its three verticals. His remarks positioned the Karachi Chapter within CITADEL’s wider objective of building pathways between talent, capability and opportunity.Mr. Murtaza Lashari, Curator, Global Shapers Karachi, spoke on “Youth as Partners in Change,” highlighting the importance of engaging young people as active contributors to Pakistan’s future.The first keynote perspective on “Youth, Technology & the Future of Pakistan From Youth Potential to National Impact” was delivered by Ms. Jehan Ara, Founder & CEO, Katalyst Labs. Her address brought an industry perspective to the discussion on youth, technology and Pakistan’s evolving innovation landscape.The second keynote perspective on “From Potential to Participation: Unlocking the Power of Youth and Women in Pakistan’s Digital Future” was delivered by Mr. Salman Ali, CEO, VRG. His address highlighted the importance of expanding access to digital skills, technology and opportunity, enabling youth and women to move from potential to meaningful participation, innovation and economic impact.The centerpiece of the launch was a panel discussion titled “From Youth Potential to National Impact,” which brought together voices from Karachi’s innovation, academic, technology and entrepreneurial ecosystems. The panel featured Syed Azfar Hussain, Project Director, NIC Karachi; Dr. Samreen Hussain, Vice Chancellor, Dawood UET Karachi; Kapeel Kumar, Regional Head Digital Underwriting and Founder, The Founders Space; and Mansoor Aamir, Co-Founder, Ovel Metaverse. The discussion was moderated by Eishah of Global Shapers Karachi.The panel explored the practical pathway from youth potential to capability, with discussion around the role of education, industry exposure, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship and innovation in preparing young Pakistanis for a rapidly changing economic and technological environment.An interactive audience activity led by Mr. Qamar Abbas, Global Shapers Karachi, further translated the discussion into ideas, participation and opportunities for engagement, allowing participants to contribute directly to the conversation around youth and national development.Presenting the next phase of the initiative, Air Cdre (R) Farhan Ahmed, Director & COO, Pathfinder CITADEL, outlined “CITADEL Karachi: The Pathway Ahead.” He shared the direction for the Karachi Chapter and the avenues through which youth, institutions, founders and industry stakeholders can engage with CITADEL’s programmes and ecosystem.The event concluded with remarks by Mr. Ikram Sehgal, Co-Chairman, Pathfinder Group, who reinforced the importance of creating meaningful pathways for Pakistan’s young talent and strengthening the linkages between youth, industry, innovation and national development.The launch concluded with a networking hi-tea, providing participants from youth, industry, academia and the startup ecosystem an opportunity to exchange ideas and explore potential areas of collaboration.The launch of the Karachi Chapter represents more than the establishment of a local presence. It provides a platform through which CITADEL can engage more closely with Karachi’s diverse commercial, technology, academic and entrepreneurial ecosystem while creating pathways for young talent to access knowledge, networks, opportunities and platforms for wider impact.About Pathfinder CITADELPathfinder CITADEL is a Pathfinder Group initiative focused on technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development and strategic engagement. Through its programmes and partnerships, CITADEL connects talent, institutions, industry and entrepreneurial initiatives with emerging opportunities and the evolving needs of Pakistan’s economy.

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