Pathfinder Group inaugurates two initiatives

Pathfinder Group successfully inaugurated two significant initiatives, viz (1) The Pathfinder School of Excellence, Center of Innovation, Technological Advancement, Digital Entrepreneurs & Leadership (CITADEL), and (2) as well as 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.
Compering of the event 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 Mr. 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). 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 has three key pillars—career jumpstart, escape velocity, and strategic innovation—it bridges the gap between academic learning and industry demands.
Mr. Imran Jattala outlined an ambitious vision for transforming Pakistan’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem through Pathfinder CITADEL. Training over 5,000 freelancers and employees, it will generate a total of $60 million annually. Additionally, it plans to incubate 100 startups, with Pathfinder CITADEL projecting to create over $125 million in annual value over 5 years.
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.
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 Elena’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.
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. 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.
Mr 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.