“Leadership & Growth Dialogue” at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Wednesday brought together business leaders, corporate executives and policy thinkers to discuss leadership challenges, economic performance and the roadmap for sustainable growth in Pakistan.
Addressing the gathering, LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that true leadership is rare and never accidental. He emphasised that patience, tolerance, courtesy and consistency are the most important qualities of leadership, which have gradually diminished in society.
He stated that leadership is developed over decades through sacrifice, struggle and continuous learning, and its true value lies in transmitting experience to future generations.
Mr Saigol urged senior professionals to guide the younger generation on developing resilience and long-term vision.
Vice President SAARC Chamber and former President of FPCCI & LCCI, Mian Anjum Nisar, said Pakistan is facing a serious leadership and governance crisis, which has caused the country to lag behind other nations over the past 78 years. He said policies were formulated but not implemented, resulting in missed opportunities.
He pointed out that state-owned enterprises are incurring annual losses of around Rs 750 billion and described nationalisation as a major policy mistake. He added that delays in the privatisation of PIA caused losses, expressing hope that the recent decision would bring improvement through better leadership and capital.
Anjum Nisar also highlighted poor governance, conflicts of interest, flawed free trade agreements, high electricity tariffs and the prolonged energy crisis as major obstacles to growth. He stressed the need to place the right people in the right positions and said leadership means taking collective responsibility, using “we” instead of “I,” and sharing knowledge as a form of ongoing charity.
Chief Operating Officer KFC Pakistan Humayun Sajid shared his personal leadership journey, stating that leadership styles must evolve with time. He said that early in his career, he followed a control-driven approach focused solely on results, but later realised that such leadership is not sustainable. He emphasised that modern leadership is based on trust, compassion and empowerment, where teams look forward to working with their leaders rather than fearing them.
Country Head Samsung Mobile Pakistan, Umar Ghumman, said effective leadership in large organisations requires moving away from micromanagement toward trust-based systems. He stressed that empowered teams, clear vision and adaptability are critical for success in rapidly changing markets.
Head of Marketing, Fauji Fertiliser Raja Junaid Bin Mujtaba, highlighted the importance of ethical leadership, strategic communication and long-term planning in building resilient organisations and supporting national economic stability.
Chief Commercial Officer Alghazi Tractors Azhar Noor spoke about leadership in industrial and agricultural sectors, emphasising adaptability, innovation and cross-functional collaboration as key drivers of sustainable growth.
