By T.M. Awan
ISLAMABAD, April 9 : A major national initiative aimed at embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into Pakistan’s development and business sectors was officially launched here in the federal capital on Tuesday.
The initiative, titled ESG Nexus, brings together a strategic consortium of six partners—The Brown Network, Global Tech Innovations (GTI), IFRS Lab, Are You Thinking Green, Cognition Hub, and other institutional collaborators—to foster sustainable transformation through capacity-building, cross-sector engagement, and leadership development.
The launch ceremony, held in Islamabad, was attended by senior government officials, industry experts, academicians, and civil society representatives. Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, was the Chief Guest. In her keynote address, she stressed the urgency of aligning national policies with climate resilience, inclusive development, and responsible governance frameworks.
“Pakistan’s sustainable future depends on integrated approaches that place ESG at the core of policymaking and institutional action,” she remarked.
Engr. Asad Mahmood, Consortium Lead of ESG Nexus, underscored the initiative’s vision to move beyond discussion and enable practical implementation of ESG practices across key sectors. “This platform is about action—it is about equipping leaders, organizations, and institutions to embed ESG as a foundational principle,” he said.
The event featured two high-level panel discussions. The first panel, titled “The ESG Roadmap – What’s Next for Businesses?”, addressed the role of corporate actors in embracing sustainability. The second session, “ESG Leadership in Key Industries”, focused on sector-specific strategies in areas such as energy, finance, and agriculture.
A major highlight was the unveiling of the ESG Masterclass Fellowship Training Program, aimed at developing future ESG leaders through expert mentorship, advanced training, and field-based learning.
Organizers stated that ESG Nexus is envisioned as a long-term collaborative platform to promote responsible growth, strengthen governance frameworks, and build resilience in Pakistan’s public and private sectors.
Dr. Muhammad Arif Goheer, Executive Director of the Global Change Impact Studies Centre; Mr. Muhammad Imran, FCMA, Chairman of the Islamabad Branch Council of ICMAP; Mr. Hassan Muhammad Khan, Chancellor of Riphah International University; and Ms. Asli Deniz, ESG Manager at IFRS Lab were the other guests of honor at the event.
