OICCI hosts second Diversity and Inclusion Conference

KARACHI: The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) on Tuesday organised the second Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Conference 2024 to mark the occasion of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

The event, whose theme was ‘Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive, Sustainable Future’, underscored the importance of businesses adopting accessible and inclusive workplace practices. In his opening remarks, OICCI Managing Committee member Ahmed Khan Bozai stressed the need for addressing systemic barriers that hinder the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

He said, “True inclusion goes beyond breaking barriers -- it is about building a workplace culture that values the strengths of every individual. When businesses embrace diversity, they not only unlock innovation but also create environments where everyone feels they truly belong and can contribute meaningfully.”

The conference focused on four key areas for fostering inclusion: addressing barriers to PWD employment, improving HR policies and recruitment practices, enhancing accessible workplace infrastructure, and strengthening national policies through public-private partnerships. These areas provided a roadmap for businesses to overcome challenges and implement sustainable strategies for inclusion. OICCI Secretary General M Abdul Aleem highlighted the need for meaningful change, stating, “Inclusion is not just a goal; it is an ongoing commitment to creating workplaces where people of all abilities are given the opportunity to thrive and contribute.”

A standout moment of the event was a compelling address by Sadia Salman, CEO of Diet by Design, who highlighted the value of neurodiversity and encouraged organisations to embrace the unique talents of individuals with diverse abilities. “Inclusion is not a favour but an investment in a more dynamic and innovative workforce,” she remarked. Her speech was complemented by personal stories of resilience shared by Salman Elahi, founder of the Blind Institute for National Awareness and Empowerment (BINAE) and supervisor at K-Electric, and Arslan Ahmed, analyst at Standard Chartered Bank, both of whom discussed overcoming professional challenges and achieving success despite their disabilities.

The event also featured a dynamic panel discussion with leading experts, including Head of Empowerment Programmes at NOWPDP Madiha Siddiqui; SEVP and Group Head of HR, Learning, and Organizational Development at Meezan Bank Limited Khalid Zaman Khan; CPO at K-Electric Rizwan Dalia; DG of SPDPA Shabana Kousar; and Founder of Khaas Foodz Kitchen Ali Tareen.

Moderated by Rabia Khattak, head of diversity and inclusion at Jazz, the panel explored actionable strategies to address gaps in HR, infrastructure and policy, discussing the importance of collaboration among private corporations, advocacy groups and the public sector to drive long-term progress in inclusion efforts.

In her closing remarks, OICCI Managing Committee member Farheen Salman Amir delivered an inspiring call to action: “it is our collective responsibility to create workplaces where everyone, regardless of physical ability, can thrive.”

The OICCI pledged to work towards the government’s target of 2.0 per cent PWD employment in the corporate sector and to document and |share best practices that can serve as a guide for other organisations.