A seminar on business plan competition was held on December 10, 2024 at COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, in collaboration with the Student Startup Business Center and the Department of Management Sciences. The university students presented ideas to promote businesses using products from various Pakistani brands.

The seminar was attended by Professor Dr. Imtiaz Ali Khan, Director COMSATS Abbottabad, faculty members, and students from different universities Hazara University, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology. Dr. Mohammad Saeed Lodhi, Head of the Department of Management Sciences, and Syed Ghais-ud- Din Shah, In-charge of the Student Startup Center, briefed the attendees about the activities related to student business plans. They shared that students were trained and enrolled to help them become economically self-sufficient. Twenty-three teams of students from COMSATS University, Hazara University, and Abbottabad University participated in the event.

Dr. Mohammad Saeed Lodhi emphasized that the goal was to not only achieve profit but also build honesty and self-confidence among the students, inspiring them to empower others to succeed.

Professor Dr. Imtiaz Ali Khan, Director COMSATS University Abbottabad, said that if businesses are conducted according to the principles of Islam, success is possible. He stressed that Pakistan has always relied on the IMF, Europe, the USA, and China, importing almost everything from these countries. He noted that after 76 years of independence, it was time for the country to determine its own direction. Despite the challenges, he stated that we still look back to the examples set by the Quran, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the Rashidun Caliphs, as they are the guiding principles for success. He also highlighted that Pakistan’s youth should start businesses that can strengthen the economy, emphasizing that there has been no practical plan for the youth in the country so far. Professor Dr. Imtiaz Ali Khan expressed concern that Pakistan lags behind the world in terms of economy, honesty, and justice, which has led to many young people seeking opportunities abroad. However, he encouraged the youth to create globally competitive products, reduce dependency on foreign imports, and build the nation’s economy.

During the seminar, student teams also gave detailed presentations on their business plans, including using online platforms and e-commerce to promote products internationally. The judges posed questions to the teams, and they provided responses. At the end of the seminar, shields and certificates of appreciation were distributed to the participants.