Climate Sustainability and ESG Reporting Gain Importance for Punjab’s Export Industries

ACCA Pakistan’s conferences in Faisalabad and Multan highlight climate risks, sustainable business practices and AI skills as priorities for regional economic growth

FAISALABAD/MULTAN: Sustainable business practices, climate risk management and credible environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting are becoming increasingly important for Pakistan’s export-oriented industries, as regional businesses face the challenge of remaining competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
These issues were highlighted at the Faisalabad and Multan editions of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Pakistan’s Corporate Conference 2026, held under the theme “Redefining Value in a Changed World”.
Addressing the Faisalabad conference as Guest of Honour, Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, said Faisalabad had long been a driving force behind the country’s industrial and export strength. He said the government’s priority was to help businesses compete globally through investment in skills, sustainability and innovation.
Faisalabad’s discussions focused on ESG and sustainability reporting, particularly its growing importance for manufacturers seeking access to international buyers and capital. A panel moderated by Nighat Nasreen of TMUC featured Sohaib Qaiser of Dr Frigz International, Raja Amjad Ali of Masood Textile Mills and Junaid Subhani of Parker Russell Chartered Accountants.
The discussion explored how credible sustainability reporting could help export-oriented manufacturers respond to evolving international market expectations. Abdullah Qadri FCCA of Sitara Labels also shared insights into the company’s growth from local roots to regional impact.

In Multan, business leaders examined the relationship between investment, climate risk and business capacity. A panel moderated by Muhammad Usman FCCA of ASCA Global Consulting brought together Peer Junaid Bodla of Bodla Group, Abdullah Amir Fazal of Fazal Group and Filza Mumtaz of Shahz & Multan Matters to discuss how regional businesses could finance expansion while managing climate exposure.
The conferences also examined the implications of artificial intelligence for regional competitiveness and workforce development. In Multan, Bahauddin Zakariya University Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Zubair Iqbal delivered a keynote on future skills, followed by a panel discussion involving representatives from academia and the technology sector. In Faisalabad, industry and technology representatives discussed how AI could support business growth, while emphasising the need for effective governance.
Speaking at the events, ACCA Pakistan Head Assad Hameed Khan said Pakistan’s future growth would depend on regional economic centres such as Faisalabad and Multan, where businesses were creating jobs, producing goods and reaching export markets. He emphasised resilience, transparency and adaptability as essential elements of long-term economic value.
The discussions underscored the need for businesses to integrate sustainability, climate risk awareness and technological innovation into their growth strategies as Punjab’s industrial and agricultural centres seek to strengthen their position in domestic and international markets.