THE 86th Board Meeting of the South Asian Federation of Accountants, or SAFA accompanied by a series of high-level committee meetings was held today at Karachi, as per a press release. The event marked a significant milestone with the announcement of new leadership appointments and key deliberations aimed at advancing the accountancy profession in South Asia.

During the meeting, Ashfaq Yousuf Tola was appointed as the President of SAFA for 2025, with Mohammad Humayun Kabir assuming the role of Vice President. The appointments were announced by Dr Jai Kumar Batra, a chartered accountant and Permanent Secretary of SAFA, who emphasised the strategic direction and strong leadership these appointments bring to the federation for the year ahead.

A highlight of the proceedings was the special addresses by Jean Bouquot, President of the International Federation of Accountants, and Farrukh Rehman, President of ICAP, both of whom emphasised the transformative power of collaboration in addressing regional and global economic challenges. Their insightful perspectives underscored the pivotal role of the accountancy profession in fostering transparency, innovation, and sustainable growth while reaffirming the importance of strong partnerships between regional and international organisations.

The Board concluded with an ambitious vision for 2025 under its new leadership. Key priorities include promoting collaboration, enhancing governance, and building capacity to strengthen the accountancy profession across South Asia. •