The non-profit sector is mission-driven, with our ‘profit’ being impact and our ‘capital’ trust. While many focus on AI for efficiency, I see it as a trust multiplier for Pakistan’s non-profit sector. AI is revolutionising finance, as it will provide radical transparency, allowing us to move towards continuous auditing (ie analysis of our financial transactions in real time).
AI-driven analytics can also give predictive stewardship. It will help us forecast where resources will be most needed, ensuring we are proactive rather than reactive in our poverty alleviation efforts. Fraud prevention will be another key impact, with AI carrying it out at scale and acting as a sophisticated digital watchdog, identifying anomalies and patterns that human eyes might miss.
Stepping out of your comfort zone is usually about mindset shifting
Moving from external audit to internal was a big step out of the comfort zone for me. Having to shift mindset from inspector to strategic partner wasn’t easy, but the discomfort was key to me becoming a catalyst for organisational change. I think stepping out of your comfort zone usually isn’t about a single moment; for me it was more about mindset shifting.
What I enjoy most about my job is the trust placed in me. My role goes beyond traditional compliance, and is more about providing assurance that every rupee for poverty alleviation reaches those it was meant for. I also like helping our internal teams and partners strengthen their own controls.
Robust internal controls are not found in manuals but in the mindset of an organisation’s people
‘Everyone is an auditor’ is my favourite mantra. Robust internal controls are not found in manuals but in the mindset of an organisation’s people. When employees see themselves as custodians of integrity and resources, then compliance becomes natural rather than forced. My goal as chief internal auditor is to foster a culture where everyone becomes the first line of defence for the organisation’s success.
If I could pass laws, I would overhaul the tax refund mechanism in Pakistan. It should provide timely settlement of advance taxes, with an automated refund system triggering prompt disbursement without the need for lengthy appeals. The existing process is very cumbersome, leading to billions being trapped for years on corporate balance sheets – it acts as an invisible tax on growth.
In my own time, I am an avid traveller, and I have visited countries all over the world. I am also passionate about sport, so you’ll often find me playing cricket – if I hadn’t pursued a career in finance, I’d have been a professional cricketer – racket sports and swimming.
