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Unlocking Export-Driven Growth: Strategic Sector Evaluation for Engro Corporation
No full textThis report evaIuates three high-potentiaI sectors in Pakistan, MedicaI Equipment and SuppIies, AnimaI Feed, and VegetabIe Exports through a structured anaIyticaI framework deveIoped for Engro Corporation. The objective was to identify sectors that aIign with Engro’s mission of incIusive industriaI growth and hoId strong potentiaI for scaIabIe, export-oriented investment. Using trade data, vaIue chain anaIysis, expert interviews, and a tweIve-point evaIuation rubric, the team shortIisted and assessed sectors based on scaIabiIity, competitive advantage, aIignment with nationaI priorities, and investment feasibiIity. Key findings suggest that whiIe each sector offers distinct opportunities, MedicaI Equipment presents immediate export vaIue with compIiance and branding upgrades; AnimaI Feed offers Iong-term ruraI integration via input IocaIization; and VegetabIes enabIe incIusive growth but require coId chain transformation. The outcomes of this project contribute to SustainabIe DeveIopment GoaI (SDG) 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG 3 (Good HeaIth and WeII-Being), and SDG 12 (ResponsibIe Consumption and Production). The report offers actionabIe insights for Engro to enter or expand in these verticaIs through phased investments, ecosystem partnerships, and vaIue-chain innovation
Comprehensive Market Analysis and Strategic Positioning for Built-in Hoods and Hobs in Pakistan
No full textThis project presents a comprehensive analysis of the built-in hoods and hobs category in Pakistan, with a focus on consumer behavior, market dynamics, and strategic positioning for Dawlance. As demand for modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing kitchen appliances rises due to evolving lifestyles, the study explores key consumer expectations, pain points, and purchase triggers through qualitative research methods including focus groups, in-depth interviews, and retail audits. The findings reveal four core consumer segments; performance-driven users, budget-conscious buyers, referred buyers and research driven decision makers, with preferences for high suction power, noise reduction, safety features, and smooth knob operation. However, major barriers such as affordability, low awareness, and limited retail visibility hinder category growth. While Dawlance faces strong competition and brand disconnect in this segment, it retains an edge through its trusted reputation, after-sales support, and established presence in adjacent categories. The report also offers actionable recommendations such as a tiered product portfolio, feature-led innovation, and an integrated campaign called the “Know the Built-In Difference” to drive awareness and conversion. By aligning its marketing, digital content, and retail strategy with consumer needs, Dawlance can strengthen its position and unlock growth in this emerging category
Enhancing Vegetable Exports from Pakistan to the UK
No full textThis Experiential Learning Project (ELP), conducted in collaboration with Maersk Pakistan, aims to improve Pakistan’s export performance for four high-risk vegetables: okra, red chilli, green chilli, and bitter gourd by addressing frequent UK port rejections caused by regulatory non-compliance. The project focuses on designing a pre-export quality control model that meets DEFRA (UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) standards, with testing conducted at third-party ISO 17025-certified labs in Rotterdam or Vietnam.
Key deliverables include:
(i) Detailed feasibility studies for each of the selected vegetables (okra, red chilli, green chilli, and bitter gourd)
(ii) A proposal formally drafted for DEFRA’s approval to initiate a pilot program
(iii) A financial model assessing the long-term viability of establishing an on-site accredited testing facility in Pakistan.
(iv) A final presentation summarizing the entire project.
Our research approach combined secondary data analysis, stakeholder interviews, and regulatory review to design a pilot model for third-party off-site testing in Rotterdam or Vietnam. The financial model explored multiple CAPEX scenarios (greenfield and brownfield), breakeven points, and scalability projections. The findings show that the off-site testing model is both feasible and impactful, significantly reducing export rejection rates and supporting long-term agri-trade growth. The project’s implications extend to food safety, supply chain compliance, and strategic investment in Pakistan’s agricultural export sector. Key contributors include Concave Agri (agri-tech and farmer digitization), Control Union (lab testing infrastructure), and the Ministry of Commerce, Pakistan. The resulting proposal is both commercially viable and strategically transformative, positioning Pakistan to build long-term agri-trade credibility with the UK and beyond
IBA Karachi hosts session on ‘ADR in Commercial Disputes’
No full textIBA Karachi organized a session titled “Impact of IBA for Smoothly Handling Commercial Disputes through ADR” to highlight the significance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Pakistan\u27s legal and business landscape. Hon’ble Justice Jawad Hassan addressed the session, advocating for arbitration, mediation, and reconciliation as cost-effective, time-saving alternatives to traditional litigation. He praised IBA’s pioneering role in institutionalizing ADR in Pakistan and emphasized the importance of mandatory mediation to improve access to justice. The event reinforced IBA’s commitment to legal literacy, business ethics, and governance among students and stakeholders
Who Controls a Neoliberal State: Socioeconomic Elites or the State Itself?
No full textIn the era of global neoliberalism, the boundaries between state autonomy and elite domination have become increasingly blurred. The following project explores the locus of power within the neoliberal states, questioning whether such states perform autonomously or are influenced by socioeconomic elites that dominate political and economic decision-making in the country. With the help of studying the elite structure in Pakistan and the United States of America, the paper examines how neoliberal reforms have reshaped state functions, enabling elite interests to influence or even capture policy-making processes.
Drawing on the theoretical framework from historical institutionalism and Thomas Piketty’s analysis of inequality, the thesis unpacks the mechanisms through which elites maintain dominance over economic and political agendas in both capitalist democracies and postcolonial states. The research adapts a qualitative and historically grounded methodology, analysing policy trajectories, institutionalism reforms, and political discourse. Key themes include the rise of privatization and deregulation and the growing influence of corporate, military, and landed elites on state apparatuses.
The study highlights how elite influence operates differently across distinct institutional contexts yet yield similar outcomes: rising inequality, weakened public accountability, and the erosion of democratic norms. In the United States, the dominance of financial and corporate elites shapes state policy, while in Pakistan, a coalition of military, feudal, and business elites exerts control. Despite their differences, both cases serve as a poignant example of how the state serves elite interests rather than acting as an autonomous vehicle for collective welfare.
The research contributes to the growing scholarship that questions the emancipatory potential of neoliberalism and interrogates the actual distribution of power in modern states. The research concludes that while the state appears to function as a neutral arbiter, neoliberalism enables a convergence of elite and state power, raising critical questions about democracy, inequality, and institutional autonomy
Examining the impact of perceived social support on the work-life balance of married working women in joint families in Pakistan
No full textIn Pakistani urban cities like Lahore and Karachi, the growing participation of married women in the workforce intersects with traditional role expectations, where women are primarily tasked with domestic responsibilities like cooking and cleaning. This makes the perception and availability of social support a critical factor in these women’s work-life experiences. This research explores how perceived social support within joint family systems impacts the work-life balance of married working women in Lahore and Karachi. Using a qualitative interpretative phenomenological approach, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with eight participants selected via purposive and snowball sampling. Inclusion criteria required participants to be married, living in joint family households, non-mothers, employed full-time, and married for one to five years. The research was grounded in three questions: (1) How does the perception of social support influence work-life balance? (2) In what ways does this perception affect women’s ability to manage dual roles? (3) What factors facilitate or hinder support-seeking behaviors? Five key themes emerged: subjective appraisal of support, negotiating work-life balance, barriers and enablers in seeking support, financial independence, and age-related agency. Findings indicate that emotional and instrumental support, when perceived as consistent and judgement free, can reduce psychological strain and enable more effective role management. Conversely, a perceived unavailability, and conditional or withdrawn support contributed to role overload, resentment and guilt. This study employs a hybrid theoretical framework rooted in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, while integrating key concepts from social cognition theory, particularly the cognitive appraisal of social support, and the concept of role overload. Findings offer implications for family structures, workplace policies, and future research in Pakistani cultural context
US Education Fair
No full texthttps://ir.iba.edu.pk/career-development-center-gallery/1006/thumbnail.jp
US Education Fair
No full texthttps://ir.iba.edu.pk/career-development-center-gallery/1010/thumbnail.jp
US Education Fair
No full texthttps://ir.iba.edu.pk/career-development-center-gallery/1016/thumbnail.jp
CDC’s Inter-City Study Trip: Isl-Bagh
No full textThe IBA Career Development Center (CDC) organized a three-day Inter-City Study Trip to Islamabad and Bagh, AJ&K from April 14 to 16, 2025, providing third- and final-year students with valuable cross-sector exposure and career insights. As part of the trip, students visited Teach for Pakistan, S&P Global, and Jazz, gaining firsthand knowledge of leadership development, global finance and IT operations, and digital innovation. They also toured Systems Limited and the all-female-led Bagh Grammar School, exploring tech-driven career paths and inclusive educational models. The trip concluded with a visit to CareCloud’s head office in Bagh, a healthcare tech company creating employment in remote regions and serving as the official travel and accommodation partner. This immersive experience enabled students to connect academic learning with real-world application, enhancing their professional readiness and industry awareness.https://ir.iba.edu.pk/career-development-center-gallery/1057/thumbnail.jp