Programme
12 Sept 2026 · 2:00 – 6:00 PM. A single timed run of show — sessions, conversations, and labs in order, with what you take from each block.
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Attendee entry, registration, guest reception, networking and short pre-event interviews.
3:00 – 3:02 PM
Official opening and welcome to Tech Skills Summit 2026.
3:02 – 3:07 PM
Opening recitation of the Holy Quran.
3:07 – 3:09 PM
A brief introduction to the summit and an overview of the event program.
3:09 – 3:13 PM
Opening note by Muhammed Yaqoob, Provost, University of Central Punjab, on the vision and purpose of the summit.
3:13 – 3:16 PM
A short message on building professional visibility, credibility and a strong personal brand alongside practical skills.
3:16 – 3:31 PM
Muhammad Waqas, Founder & CEO of Dafi Labs, shares how AI is changing technology, careers and product building, and why adaptability matters.
3:31 – 3:56 PM
A practical discussion on idea validation, product development, go-to-market strategy, customer acquisition, fundraising and scaling.
3:56 – 4:00 PM
A short interactive audience challenge based on the ideas discussed during the first panel.
4:00 – 4:12 PM
Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood shares practical perspectives on education, self-learning, adaptability and preparing students for a rapidly changing future.
4:12 – 4:42 PM
A discussion on modern software development, AI-powered marketing, cybersecurity, freelancing, client acquisition and emerging technology opportunities.
4:42 – 4:46 PM
A rapid audience interaction and technology Q&A session.
4:46 – 4:48 PM
A short collaboration video featuring ProMaker and Emra Skills.
4:48 – 4:57 PM
Mustansar Riaz discusses modern cybersecurity risks, AI-generated code, application and API security, cloud security and secure-by-design development.
4:57 – 5:27 PM
A discussion between academia, industry, HR and students on career readiness, hiring challenges and practical ways to reduce the skills gap.
5:27 – 5:31 PM
A short video highlighting the internship program impact and how EmpRadar supported recruitment and internship workflows at scale.
5:31 – 5:51 PM
The top five student project finalists present their solutions, technologies and real-world problem-solving approaches.
5:51 – 5:53 PM
Judges finalize the competition results while the hosts keep the audience engaged.
5:53 – 5:58 PM
Recognition of competition winners, finalists and contributors to Tech Skills Summit 2026.
5:58 – 6:00 PM
Final reflections, acknowledgements and closing message for Tech Skills Summit 2026.
Speakers
Selected voices for TSS in Lahore. More names publish here as they are confirmed.
AI Is Changing the Game, Are You Changing With It?
Keynote Speaker & Organizer
Muhammad Waqas is the Founder & CEO of Dafi Labs, Founder of EmpRadar.ai, and Organizer of Tech Skills Summit 2026. With over 11 years of experience across software engineering, SaaS, blockchain, Web3, cloud technologies, AI, and product development, his career has evolved alongside major shifts in technology. At Tech Skills Summit 2026, he will share practical lessons from his journey and explore how students, developers, and professionals can adapt, build real products, and stay relevant in an AI-driven future.
Panelist
Dr. Hammad Naveed is the Pro-Rector at the University of Central Punjab with experience across academia, AI, engineering leadership, and entrepreneurship. He has previously worked with Soliton Technologies and FAST-NUCES, and is also the Co-founder of Amal and Founder of Tib.ai.
Panelist
Panel Discussion 1
Naveed Sarwar is a business development and enterprise sales professional with more than two decades of commercial experience across technology, consulting, and cybersecurity. His expertise spans strategic partnerships, enterprise sales, market development, negotiation, and business growth. At Tech Skills Summit 2026, he joins Panel Discussion 1 to share practical insights on go-to-market strategy, positioning, customer acquisition, and turning a strong product into a commercially successful business.
Panelist
Panel Discussion 1
Zain Farooq is a fintech entrepreneur and Managing Director at Barq PK, with extensive experience in building, scaling, and funding technology ventures. He previously founded and led MyTM, where he successfully raised multimillion-dollar investment from local and international investors. His journey across fintech, startup growth, regulatory engagement, and investor relations gives him a practical understanding of what makes a business investment-ready. At Tech Skills Summit 2026, he joins Panel Discussion 1 to share insights on fundraising, investor expectations, pitching, and building startups that can attract capital.
Panelist
Digital Marketing in the AI Era: GEO, AEO, Automation & Growth
Obaid Arshad is a serial entrepreneur, award-winning SaaS innovator, and e-commerce veteran. He is the CEO & Founder of Ginkgo Retail & Comverse and Founder of Zentri by Ginkgo Retail, where he focuses on building AI-driven e-commerce and digital business solutions. With extensive experience in SaaS, entrepreneurship, team building, and technology-enabled growth, he brings valuable insight into how AI, automation, and modern digital strategies are reshaping e-commerce, marketing, and business innovation.
Panelist
Panel Discussion 1
Abid Nazir is a seasoned IT leader with nearly three decades of experience in technology management, software development, enterprise systems, DevOps, and data-driven solutions. At Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, he has contributed to building and managing technology teams and large-scale IT systems. At Tech Skills Summit 2026, he joins Panel Discussion 1 to share practical insights on turning ideas into reliable, scalable, and production-ready technology.
Head Software Development · Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital
Artificial Intelligence
Muhammad Mustanser Hussain is the Founder and CEO of ATechSole and ATechSkills, with over a decade of experience in cybersecurity, AI, automation and digital transformation. He has advised organizations and government departments, trained professionals and supported more than 120 brands in adopting technology securely. His expertise includes cybersecurity strategy, Agentic AI red teaming, Zero Trust, AI governance, risk management and secure digital transformation.
Panelist
Cybersecurity & Cloud Skills for 2026 — What Tech Professionals Need to Know
Hafiz Ali Mansoor Elahi is an IT leader, cybersecurity and information security professional, and Founder & Lead Instructor at ProMaker Institute. He also serves as IT Head at Industrad Engineering, with expertise spanning cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, GRC, IT operations, business automation, and digital transformation. An active trainer and guest lecturer, he regularly shares practical industry knowledge with students and professionals. At Tech Skills Summit 2026, he joins Panel Discussion 2 to discuss the cybersecurity, cloud, and technology skills professionals should develop for the evolving tech landscape.
Panelist
From Idea to Market
Jamshaid Rashid is the Founder & CEO of RideMate, a Pakistani mobility-tech startup focused on making daily commuting more affordable and efficient through carpooling and shared mobility. Previously, he worked at oladoc as Senior Manager – Accounts, Customer Engagement & Business Intelligence, contributing to the growth of a healthcare technology platform serving 25,000+ doctors. His journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship gives him practical experience in product building, customer growth, business intelligence, and solving real-world problems through technology.
Panelist
Bridging the Academia–Industry Talent Gap
Aqsa Durrani is an experienced Human Resources leader with 13+ years of professional experience, including more than six years in HR, technical recruitment, and people excellence. She leads People & Culture for a fast-growing technology organization, with expertise in talent acquisition, workforce planning, performance management, employee engagement, organizational development, and employer branding. She is passionate about building people-first workplaces and aligning talent with business needs. Aksa also embraces AI-powered tools and recruitment automation to improve hiring, HR operations, employee experience, and data-driven decision-making.
Panelist
Tech Skills & Tools for 2026
Salman Dayal is a technology professional and Head of Engineering at Tallysis, with hands-on experience across full-stack development, blockchain, Web3, and modern software engineering. His work across emerging technologies gives him a practical perspective on how development tools, workflows, and technical skills are evolving. At Tech Skills Summit 2026, he joins Panel Discussion 2 to share insights on the technologies, tools, and skills developers should focus on for 2026 and beyond.
Panelist
Panel Discussion 3
Alishba Noor is a recent Software Engineering graduate from the University of Central Punjab and a Graduate Trainee at Manafa Technologies. Alongside strong academics, she has remained actively involved in student communities, technical initiatives, and practical projects throughout her university journey. At Tech Skills Summit 2026, Alishba joins Panel Discussion 3 as a Student Voice, sharing a fresh graduate’s perspective on the transition from university to industry, the challenges students face, and what can better prepare them for professional careers.
Host
Why Your Personal Brand Matters More Than Your Resume
Zainab Ashfaq is a GTM and strategic growth professional with experience across business development, marketing, operations, and product. Her work focuses on helping businesses build, position, and grow by connecting strategy with technology and market needs. At Tech Skills Summit 2026, she will join as one of the event hosts.
Host
Co-Host & Panel 1 Moderator
Faizan Azeem is an event management and operations professional with hands-on experience in event planning, logistics, coordination, and audience engagement. He has contributed to professional and university-led events, working across event execution, backstage management, and attendee experience. At Tech Skills Summit 2026, Faizan serves as Co-Host and Moderator of Panel 1, helping lead the discussion around taking ideas from concept to market.
CEO · Dream Crafters
Panelist
Founder and CEO · Codecoy Technologies
Guests
Invited guests listed for this edition — not a public directory of everyone who registered.
Guest of Honor
Mr. Muhammad Yaqoob serves as Provost at the University of Central Punjab (UCP), where he contributes to the university’s academic leadership, institutional development, research, and innovation initiatives. UCP officially identifies him as part of its senior leadership, and his work reflects a strong emphasis on academic excellence and meaningful engagement between universities, industry, and society. As Provost, he has highlighted the importance of research, innovation, entrepreneurship, commercialization, and cross-sector collaboration in preparing institutions and students for future challenges. His leadership aligns closely with the vision of Tech Skills Summit 2026 — Empowering Skills, Building Futures. We are honored to welcome Mr. Muhammad Yaqoob as Guest of Honor at Tech Skills Summit 2026.
Provost · University of Central Punjab (UCP)
Guest of Honor
Dr. Shazia Saqib is an academic leader and artificial intelligence researcher serving as Dean of the School of Informatics & Robotics at the Institute for Art and Culture, Lahore. With a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, her academic and research work spans AI, healthcare applications, computer vision, semantic segmentation, augmented reality, and emerging technologies. She is actively involved in advancing technology education, research, and industry-relevant learning, and joins Tech Skills Summit 2026 as a Guest of Honor.
Guest of Honor
**Dr. Tahir Alyas (SMIEEE)** is a distinguished academic, researcher, and innovation leader currently serving as **Director ORIC at Lahore Garrison University**. His work focuses on research, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, commercialization, and strengthening academia–industry collaboration. With a strong commitment to innovation and student development, he has contributed to creating opportunities that connect academic research with real-world industry impact. His experience in technology, research leadership, and innovation ecosystems makes him a valuable voice in shaping the future of skills and higher education.
Guest of Honor
Dr. Amjad Hussain Zahid is an Associate Professor at the School of Systems and Technology, University of Management and Technology, with extensive experience in computer science education, academic research, and curriculum development. His academic background spans computer science and informatics, and he has also contributed to national-level curriculum initiatives through the HEC National Curriculum Revision Committee. He joins Tech Skills Summit 2026 as a Guest of Honor, bringing valuable insight from academia and technology education.
Guest of Honor
Asif Farooq is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Central Punjab, with extensive experience in technology education, project management, cloud computing, and industry engagement. He has actively contributed to strengthening academia–industry collaboration through professional partnerships, student initiatives, and industry-focused learning opportunities. He joins Tech Skills Summit 2026 as a Guest of Honor, bringing valuable experience in technology education and student career readiness.
Guest of Honor
Dr. Muhammad Hassan is an academic leader and computer science educator serving as Head of the Department of Computer Science and Assistant Professor at The Institute of Management Sciences (Pak-AIMS), Lahore. He is actively involved in advancing computer science education, student development, and industry-relevant learning, with a strong focus on preparing students for the evolving demands of the technology sector. His academic leadership and commitment to strengthening the connection between education and industry make him a valuable contributor to the future of technology and skills development.
Guest of Honor
Amina Saud is an academic and technology community professional serving as Treasurer of IEEE SIGHT Lahore Section and Lecturer at The University of Lahore. She is actively involved in academic development, IEEE community initiatives, student engagement, and technology-focused activities that encourage collaboration and professional growth. Her commitment to connecting students with wider professional and technology communities makes her a valuable contributor to the skills and innovation ecosystem.
Guest of Honor
Hafiz Sajid Ibrahim is the Founder of Event Affairs, with extensive experience in event planning, production, business development, and large-scale event execution. Through Eventaffairs.pk, he has worked on major corporate, institutional, and public events, bringing together planning, hospitality, production, and on-ground operations. He joins Tech Skills Summit 2026 as a Guest of Honor, representing the event and business community and contributing his experience in building impactful professional experiences.
VIP Guest
Burhan Ali Naveed is a career services and student development professional serving as Manager of the Career Services Office at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Central Punjab. His work focuses on career readiness, industry engagement, professional development, recruitment initiatives, and creating opportunities that connect students with employers. Through career-focused programs and industry collaborations, he actively contributes to preparing students for the transition from university to the professional world. He joins Tech Skills Summit 2026 as a VIP Guest.
VIP Guest
CEO | IT & Computer Science Professor · BIT Trainings
VIP Guest
Faran S. is an entrepreneur and business professional with experience in business development, brand building, and emerging ventures. Associated with Indus Venture, he brings a practical perspective on entrepreneurship, market growth, and transforming ideas into scalable business opportunities. With a strong interest in innovation and developing new business ecosystems, he continues to engage with initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship, collaboration, and growth among emerging professionals.
VIP Guest
Muhammad Usman Zia Akram is a technology entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Macromodule Technologies, with extensive experience in software engineering, technology leadership, project delivery, and building digital products. His work spans Artificial Intelligence, custom software, SaaS, cloud solutions, blockchain and Web3, with a strong focus on transforming business challenges into scalable technology solutions. Through his leadership and entrepreneurial journey, he continues to contribute to technology innovation, team development, and the growth of globally competitive software solutions.
VIP Guest
B2B Revenue & GTM Leader
Call for speakers
We look for craft, a point of view, and a skill people can take back to a team or a classroom — not a slide deck of job titles. Applications are reviewed by the organising team.
Prefer to register first? Thank you.
