Islamabad: The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) marked Global Ethics Day 2025 by reaffirming its commitment to strengthening ethical leadership, transparency, and integrity amid rapid technological, environmental, and societal change.
As technology and sustainability continue to reshape global business practices, Global Ethics Day 2025 served as a platform for finance professionals to reflect on the evolving nature of ethics in a digital-first world. The virtual event, held across the Asia Pacific region, gathered members, partners, and thought leaders for an engaging discussion on how professionals can uphold trust and accountability while navigating the challenges of modern innovation.
Opening the session, Pulkit Abrol, Director – Asia Pacific, ACCA, highlighted that ethics is not just a technical requirement but a defining trait of great leadership. “In a world full of complexity, ethics becomes our compass. It’s what helps us make the right decisions, not just the easy ones. At ACCA, ethics has been part of our story since day one, not as a box to tick, but as a value we live,” he said. “The future of our profession will belong to those who lead with both competence and conscience.”
Exploring Integrity in a Digital Era
A central feature of Global Ethics Day 2025 was the panel discussion titled “Upholding Integrity in a World of Digital Disruption.” The conversation focused on how data, technology, and global regulations are transforming ethical responsibilities for finance and business professionals.
Gulfishan Shaikh FCCA, Executive Director and Head of Treasury and Corporate Finance at easypaisa Bank Ltd., moderated the discussion, joined by an esteemed panel: Chaaminda Kumarasiri, Group Managing Director of The Lanka Hospitals Corporation; Suresh Raj Sharma, Vice Chair of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee at the United Nations; Nguyễn Trung Ngân FCCA, Tax Strategist at Deloitte Southeast Asia; and Shahzaib Sanwal FCCA, Senior Director of Consulting at EY Ford Rhodes.
Panelists observed that technology and ethics must evolve together rather than compete. They agreed that integrity cannot be added after the fact — it must be built into systems, governance, and leadership. The experts stressed that ethical decision-making in a digital world requires both moral clarity and professional courage.
They further discussed how finance professionals are at the forefront of data governance and AI integration, emphasizing the importance of using technology responsibly and ethically. “Ethics cannot be an afterthought; it must be embedded in every process,” one panelist noted, underscoring that digital transformation and moral integrity can complement one another when guided by purpose-driven leadership.
Partners Unite for Ethical Progress
Another major highlight of Global Ethics Day 2025 was the “Partner Perspectives: Collaboration for Ethical Progress” segment, featuring leading voices from corporate and professional organizations. Each speaker reaffirmed their shared mission of strengthening ethical practices within Pakistan’s finance and business communities.
Asim Siddiqui, Country Managing Partner, EY Ford Rhodes, said: “Integrity and ethical leadership are the cornerstones of sustainable business practices, guiding us to build trust and create long-term value for all stakeholders.”
Ghulam Mustafa Qazi, President of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP), emphasized collaboration across professional bodies as the key to lasting ethical progress. “Ethics cannot thrive in isolation. Collaboration among professional bodies is essential to foster an ethical culture across the global accounting community. Our renewed partnership with ACCA reflects this shared vision, working together to strengthen ethical standards and build capacity for future challenges,” he said.
Rauf Ali Jan FCCA, Chief Internal Auditor at Habib Bank Ltd. (HBL), added that the bank’s partnership with ACCA demonstrates shared values of diligence, accountability, and respect. “HBL continues to promote ethical practices globally through its partnership with ACCA,” he stated.
Sadaf Shabbir, CFA, FRM, Financial Advisor at VIS Credit Rating Company (Pvt) Ltd., noted that ethics is a continuous practice. “While Global Ethics Day is celebrated once a year, ethical practice is a daily commitment, not a one-time event. Ongoing education and resources help members continually develop ethical decision-making skills throughout their careers,” she said.
Sardar Mohammad Aly Osman, Chief Internal Auditor at Engro Corporation, linked integrity directly to sustainable growth. “Integrity is more than a principle — it’s the blueprint for lasting growth. In a world of rapid transformation, it anchors progress to purpose. True growth is measured not by profit alone, but by honesty, fairness, and trust,” he remarked.
Shafaq Fauzil Azim, President & CEO of the Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG), stressed that good governance depends on values-based leadership. “On Global Ethics Day 2025, PICG recognises the enduring role of boards in leading with integrity, foresight, and courage — because the future of governance depends not just on rules, but on the values we choose to uphold,” she said.
Ethics as the Cornerstone of Professional Trust
Closing Global Ethics Day 2025, Assad Hameed Khan, Head of ACCA Pakistan, highlighted that as AI and digital tools become embedded in finance, professionals must ensure that technology amplifies — not replaces — human values. “Senior finance professionals spotlighted shared ethical values and purpose with the growing embedding of digital and AI tools in day-to-day work, clearly suggesting organisations and professionals ensure that technology amplifies human values, not replaces them,” he said.
The event concluded with reflections on how ethics remains the cornerstone of professional trust and responsible leadership. Participants reaffirmed that in a rapidly changing world, ethical competence must advance alongside technical expertise to ensure that finance professionals continue to act in the public interest.
By celebrating Global Ethics Day 2025, ACCA once again reinforced its global leadership in promoting ethics, integrity, and purpose-driven professionalism — values that continue to shape the future of business and society alike.
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