CM Sindh Inaugurates FPCCI & Sindh HEC Exhibition Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI

Karachi: Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, has apprised that Syed Murad Ali Shah, CM Sindh,
inaugurated the Sindh Innovative Startups Exhibition 2025 at Federation House, Karachi – aimed at promoting
indigenous business ideas; industry-academia linkages; emerging technologies; import substitution solutions;
technologically-driven business & economic development and ecosystem of tech entrepreneurship in the
country.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh elaborated that, at FPCCI, we believe that the future of Pakistan’s economy lies in
innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge-based collaboration. The time has come for industry to open its
doors to academia — not just as a partner; but, as a driver of future growth and competitiveness.

FPCCI Chief also acknowledged the tireless efforts of Prof. Dr. Tariq Rafi, Chairman Sindh HEC, for pushing
the boundaries of academic impact beyond the classroom and into the economy and Ms. Maheen Salman,
Convener of FPCCI’s Central Standing Committee on Higher Education, Science & Technology, for
envisioning and executing the exhibition with clarity, energy and purpose.

Syed Murad Ali Shah, CM Sindh, reiterated his government’s support for universities and their R&D
initiatives as it is the only sustainable way forward for creating a robust economic environment in Sindh
through capitalizing the potential of youth in a constructive and productive manner. He highlighted that Sindh
allocates the most funds for the universities among all provinces.

CM Sindh appreciated FPCCI’s leadership role as the apex trade and industry body; and, its role in bringing
industry, academia and government together. Additionally, he sought FPCCI’s role in investments into the
technology startups in the province through matchmaking.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, explained that industries lead the innovation all over the world with
the help of universities as industry can determine the real-world needs and market-driven use of technologies.

Prof. Dr. Tariq Rafi, Chairman of Sindh HEC, stressed that the exhibition is a major initiative that SHEC and
FPCCI have worked on together. We’ve previously launched the Sindh Research Support Program and
organized events spotlighting university-based inventions. However, all these prior efforts have been aimed at
bringing local solutions to local industries — and ultimately, to move our universities towards greater
self-reliance by transforming research into opportunity. Today’s exhibition is the manifestation of that vision,
he added.

Mr. Aman Paracha, VP FPCCI, noted that FPCCI, Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) and
Government of Sindh (GoS) jointly organized the first-of-its-kind technology showcase in the country; which
can very well be a starting point to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship culture in the country.

Mr. Asif Sakhi, VP FPCCI, added that Sindh Innovative Startups Exhibition 2025 featured 50 creative
technology projects from universities across Sindh in diverse sector and verticals; including, industrial
automation, textiles, agri-tech, climate technologies, IT, healthcare and food sciences.

Caption:

Syed Murad Ali Shah, CM Sindh and Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, are
inaugurating the Sindh Innovative Startups Exhibition 2025 at Federation House, Karachi.
Mr. Aman Paracha & Mr. Asif Sakhi, VPs FPCCI; Prof. Dr. Tariq Rafi, Chairman Sindh HEC;
Consul Generals of important countries; Vice Chancellors of universities; prominent
business leaders and student entrepreneurs were also present in large number.