FAST Cables spearheaded a groundbreaking dialogue on Pakistan’s sustainable transformation at the FAST Forward Sustainable Development Forum, held at the university of Central Punjab (UCP). The event united over 250 stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to address the dual challenges of industrial growth and climate resilience for the nation’s 250 million citizens.
With Pakistan ranked among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, discussions centered on accelerating the shift to carbon-negative industrial practices. Hammad Naveed, UCP Pro-Rector, kicked off the session, stressing academia’s role in enabling green innovation: “Universities must act as incubators for industry-led sustainability solutions tailored to Pakistan’s needs.”
FAST Cables’ Chief Commercial Officer, M Sheikh Usman, delivered a rallying cry in his keynote: “As a market leader, we’re committed to carbon neutrality but this isn’t a solo mission. Collaboration across sectors is non-negotiable.” He announced plans to expand the forum to Karachi and Islamabad, framing it as a nationwide movement.
A high-profile panel featuring WWF’s Nazifa Ishfaq, Punjab’s Environment Head Noureen Arif, and sustainability experts from Sapphire and COMSATS University dissected actionable strategies. Topics ranged from policy reforms and renewable energy integration to corporate accountability, with Dr. Yaqoob highlighting solar energy’s untapped potential.
The forum’s climax saw the unveiling of two pioneering awards for UCP students: the FAST Excellence Award, honoring academic brilliance and community impact, and the FAST sustainability Award, incentivizing final-year projects that deliver affordable, scalable green solutions.
