The OICCI hosted its 2nd Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Conference 2024 to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Themed “𝗔𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲,” the event brought together CEOs, HR heads, business leaders, and policymakers for impactful discussions on fostering inclusion in the workforce.

The conference featured key sessions addressing systemic barriers to the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), enhancing workplace policies, promoting accessible infrastructure, and reinforcing national policies through public-private partnerships. Ahmed Bozai, Chair OICCI D&I Subcommittee and Citi Country Officer at Citi, delivered the opening address. Sadia Salman, CEO of DIET BY DESIGN, emphasized the value of neurodiversity, while Salman Elahi, Founder of the BINAE EDUCATION FOUNDATION and Supervisor at K-Electric, and Arslan Ahmed, Analyst, Client Care Unit at Standard Chartered, shared their inspiring stories of resilience.

A dynamic panel discussion moderated by Rabia Kuli Khan Khattak, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Jazz, included industry leaders such as Madiha Siddiqui, Head of Empowerment Programs at NOWPDP; Khalid Zaman Khan, SEVP and Group Head of HR, Learning, and Organizational Development at Meezan Bank Limited; Muhammad Rizwan Dalia, Chief People Officer at K-Electric Limited; Shabana Kousar, Director General of the Sindh Persons with Disabilities Protection Authority (SPDPA); and Ali Tareen, Founder of Khaas Foodz. In her closing remarks, Farheen Salman Amir, Co-Chair OICCI D&I Subcommittee, and President BSPAN and Country Manager Pakistan at LIPTON Teas and Infusions, reaffirmed OICCI’s commitment to achieving the government’s 2% PWD employment target and fostering inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.