Islamabad: As countries like Pakistan search for sustainable and inclusive development pathways, experts are increasingly highlighting Waqf and Zakat as underutilized yet powerful instruments for poverty alleviation, entrepreneurship, and social welfare, which are capable of moving beyond their traditional charitable roles.
In this context, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), in collaboration with Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), will host the Professor Khurshid Ahmad International Conference 2026 on April 2 and 3 at the AIOU in Islamabad, bringing together leading national and international scholars, researchers, policymakers, regulators, and practitioners.
Titled ‘Mobilizing Waqf and Zakat for Socio-Economic Empowerment: Policy Perspectives on Entrepreneurship and Sustainability,’ the two-day conference aims to explore innovative policy solutions and practical frameworks for leveraging Waqf and Zakat as structured instruments for sustainable and inclusive development.
Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, will be the chief guest at the inaugural session.
The conference will feature distinguished international experts from the US, the UK, Indonesia, Kenya, Trkiye, and Bahrain, alongside prominent Pakistani policymakers, Shariah scholars, vice chancellors, and representatives from regulatory bodies and the financial sector, including SECP and the banking industry.
During the conference, experts will deliberate on governance frameworks, institutional development, financial integration, global best practices in Islamic social finance, and sustainable development. The program will include panel discussions on ethics, regulation, technology, and policy architecture, as well as engagement between regulators and financial institutions.A total of 22 research papers will also be presented, offering diverse academic and policy perspectives on the subject.
A memorial session will also be held to pay tribute to the intellectual legacy and enduring contributions of Prof. Khurshid Ahmad. The conference will conclude with the issuance of a Conference Declaration outlining key policy recommendations.
The event will serve as a vital policy-academic interface, integrating scholarly research with regulatory and institutional perspectives while bridging classical Islamic principles with contemporary policy frameworks.