CITADEL to groom future tech leaders; PIFHI to support innovation, Zarrar
Pathfinder Group successfully launched the CITADEL and PIFHI initiatives
Islamabad : The Pathfinder Group successfully inaugurated two significant initiatives 1, The Pathfinder School of Excellence, Center of Innovation, Technological Advancement, Digital Entrepreneurs & Leadership (CITADEL), as well as 2) the Pathfinder Inter-Faith Harmony Initiative (PIFHI). The curtain raiser event brought together experts, academics, faith leaders, industrialists, and professionals in the field of technology.
Dr Huma Baqai emphasized that CITADEL is not just an academic institution, but a bold idea and blueprint for the future, rooted in four pillars: innovation, technological advancement, digital entrepreneurship, and leadership. “We envision this space not just as a centre of learning, but as a launchpad: for ideas, for ventures, and for young minds ready to disrupt and redefine,” she said.
The program commenced with welcome remarks from Zarrar Sehgal, Chairman of the Pathfinder Group, followed by an introduction to CITADEL by Air Cdre ® Khalid Banuri emphasizing the importance of innovation and technological advancement in today’s rapidly evolving world.
Representing the Pathfinder Group and the Sehgal family, Zarrar Sehgal warmly welcomed attendees to the dual inauguration of CITADEL and the Pathfinder Inter-Faith Harmony Initiative (PIFHI). He emphasized the importance of both initiatives, CITADEL as a center to nurture future leaders in technology and innovation, and PIFHI, inspired by his daughter Elena Sehgal, as a deeply personal commitment to fostering religious harmony in Pakistan. Highlighting the potential of Pakistan’s youth, he underlined CITADEL’s mission to go beyond traditional education by developing visionary problem-solvers who embody both technical proficiency and emotional intelligence. He stressed the importance of ethics, creativity, and empathy, qualities that create a bridge between technological advancement and interfaith values.
Air Cdre ® Khalid Banuri introduced the Pathfinder School of Excellence – CITADEL. He said, CITADEL is more than an acronym, it’s a powerful metaphor for a modern fortress of innovation, inspired by the traditional citadel’s role as the heart of a thriving city. Designed as a center of gravity for a futuristic, digital Pakistan, CITADEL reflects the Pathfinder Group’s unwavering commitment to building a sustainable ecosystem of creativity, leadership, and technological advancement. With three key pillars—career jumpstart, escape velocity, and strategic innovation—it bridges the gap between academic learning and industry demands.
Imran Jattala outlined an ambitious vision for transforming Pakistan’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem through Pathfinder CITADEL. The initiative aims to train over 5,000 freelancers and employees, generating a total of $60 million annually. Additionally, it plans to incubate 100 startups, with expected revenues and investments exceeding $65 million. Over five years, Pathfinder CITADEL is projected to create over $125 million in annual value, aiding in the development of a self-reliant and digitally advanced Pakistan.
In his video message, AVM Asad Ikram commended the Sehgal family, especially Ikram Sehgal, for thinking big and putting a dream into action for a wider national cause. He also urged the audience to collaborate with CITADEL for future opportunities.
Gulmina Bilal, the first chairperson of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), applauded the sincere efforts of Ikram Sehgal and pressed the need for public-private partnerships for skill development and job creation.
At the launch of the Pathfinder Inter-Faith Harmony Initiative (PIFHI), renowned academic and peace advocate Dr Huma Baqai said that this initiative is both timely and necessary in an increasingly divided world. She emphasized that PIFHI is more than a project, it is a moral and social commitment to empathy, coexistence, and peace.
Faith leaders and representatives from different religious communities, including Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Bahá’í. This initiative is a brainchild of a young Elena Sehgal, granddaughter of Ikram Sehgal. Dr Baqai appreciated her idea, saying, “Peace doesn’t begin in summits, it begins in heads like Amaani’s.”
Elena Sehgal shared her thoughts on perceiving this idea that religious and political divide is on the rise not only in Pakistan, but in the world. In New York, she co-founded a youth-led organization alongside a Jewish and a Christian colleague to promote unity. She organizes community service events where teenagers from diverse religious backgrounds work side by side for a common cause, fostering cooperation and religious harmony among volunteers.
Brig Mujahid Alam, CEO of Providentia Books Foundation, introduced PIFHI, aimed at fostering unity, tolerance, and mutual respect among diverse faith communities in Pakistan. Key components of the initiative include facilitating inter- and intra-faith dialogue forums, engaging youth through leadership development and storytelling, and launching joint community service projects. Flagship programs under PIFHI include the Annual Inter-Faith Peace Forum, outreach efforts in schools and universities, a fellowship for young inter-faith leaders, and collaborative service projects in health, environmental sustainability, and disaster relief.
Rt. Rev. Nadeem Kamran, Bishop of Lahore, thanked Ikram Sehgal and Zarrar Sehgal for the PIFHI. He highlighted the need for religious education to bring people together and increase tolerance in society.
In his closing remarks, Ikram Sehgal, Co-Chairman of Pathfinder Group, spoke about Pakistan’s first mobile-based financial inclusion platform, Asaan Mobile Account (AMA), created by the Pathfinder Group. With over 13 million users, AMA allows unbanked Pakistanis to open mobile bank accounts with 16 banks in under two minutes—no internet required. Users can deposit, withdraw cash, pay utility bills, and shop using the PayLite debit system. Developed by Pakistani youth, AMA has been recognized by the World Economic Forum. He highlighted the importance of youth empowerment through Pathfinder CITADEL, which aims to equip young Pakistanis with skills in innovation, leadership, and emotional intelligence.
Sehgal emphasized that all these efforts—books, banking, education, and interfaith work—are part of a unified vision to serve Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations. He thanked his family, colleagues, and supporters for making these initiatives possible and called on everyone to help carry the mission forward.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
