Islamabad:The YES Summit, Expo and Startup Competition 2026 was inaugurated at Bahria University, Islamabad, on Wednesday, bringing together policymakers, academics, industry representatives, entrepreneurs and social innovators to promote youth entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable business development.
Syeda Amna Batool, Member of the National Assembly and Focal Person to the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, attended the inaugural ceremony as chief guest. Vice Admiral Abid Hameed HI(M), Rector of Bahria University, welcomed the guests.
The initiative is being organised in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission's Task Force on Business Incubation Centres, OIC-COMSTECH and other organisations and universities. Representatives of the HEC also attended the event, along with Dr Javaid Laghari, Chairman of the HEC Task Force on Business Incubation Centres, and Dr Habib Boukhari, who addressed the gathering.
Speakers stressed the need to strengthen links between academia and industry, encourage innovation-driven entrepreneurship and establish a supportive ecosystem for startups and young business leaders. They also appreciated the efforts of Murtaza Noor, Founder of YES Pakistan, in bringing key stakeholders together to advance youth entrepreneurship.
The summit featured keynote addresses and panel discussions on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, the role of universities in business development and women's contributions to economic growth.
Dr Shoab A. Khan, Chairman of P@SHA, delivered the keynote address, highlighting effective leadership, technological innovation and emerging trends in entrepreneurship.
The first panel, titled 'Leadership, Innovation and Lessons from Leading CEOs,' featured Pervaiz Abbassi, CEO of ADVentures; Muhammad Adnan Mukhtar, Convener of the FPCCI Academia-Industry Committee; and Moazzam Shahbaz, CEO of NAQEEBZ. The discussion focused on leadership experiences, innovative business strategies and lessons from the corporate sector.
The second panel, 'Universities as Catalysts for Future Entrepreneurship,' brought together Vice Admiral Engr. Abid Hameed HI(M) (Retd), Rector of Bahria University; Dr Ijaz Qureshi, Vice Chancellor of Ganj Shakar University; Prof. Dr Zahid Khand, Vice Chancellor of Aror University; Dr Muhammad Abu Bakr, Chairman of the University of Okara; and Prof. Dr Shahzad Khan, Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy.
The participants discussed the role of higher education institutions in fostering entrepreneurial mindsets, supporting startups, strengthening innovation ecosystems and preparing future business leaders.
The third panel, 'Women Driving Innovation and Entrepreneurship,' featured Naima Ansari, Senior Vice President of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce; Rabia Farhan, former Senior Vice President of the Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Fajar Rabia Pasha, social entrepreneur; and Dr Sonia Saleem, CEO of Socio Engineering Technologies. The panel examined women's leadership experiences and their contributions to innovation, inclusive growth and economic development.
The summit and accompanying expo and startup competition aim to connect universities, business incubation centres, industry, investors and entrepreneurs, while providing young innovators and emerging businesses opportunities to showcase ideas, build networks and explore sustainable growth prospects.
The event highlighted the importance of cooperation among government, academia, industry and the entrepreneurial community in empowering Pakistan's youth, promoting innovation and building a knowledge-driven economy.