PBC Dubai marks year of growth, welcomes new members at AGM 2025
Gala dinner and awards show announced for end of the year
DUBAI: The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) Dubai successfully held its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) 2025 at a prominent hotel in Dubai.
The evening brought together leading members of the Pakistani business community from across the emirate in a professionally organised gathering that celebrated progress, transparency, and unity.
The event commenced with a networking session, followed by the recitation of the Holy Quran. National anthems of both the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan set a patriotic tone as the attendees settled in for an engaging programme.
PBC achievements
Chairman Shabbir Merchant opened the meeting with a warm welcome to all attendees and a review of the Council’s accomplishments over the past year. He shared insights into key milestones and mapped out future goals aimed at strengthening the Council’s role within the UAE's business landscape.
Vice Chairman Kamran Ahmad Riaz presented a comprehensive overview of the Council’s general activities, while Vice Chairman Events & Media, Iftikhar Ali Tatlah, provided updates on events, digital platforms, and media outreach. He elaborated on the Council’s YouTube presence, newsletters, and its official website, stating that the media platform is not merely informative but reflective of the shared values and professional spirit of the community.
Tatlah also announced a grand Gala Dinner and Awards Show scheduled for the end of 2025 to celebrate outstanding contributions by members and partner organisations.
Digital advancements and finance
Secretary General Khurram Khawaja unveiled new features of the Council’s mobile application, including upgraded digital tools for members and enhanced accessibility for various services.
Vice Chairman Finance, Noor Kareem Afridi, presented a detailed financial report highlighting the Council’s annual performance. He emphasised the transparency and accountability in financial operations, which continues to strengthen trust within the business community.
Interactive participation
The AGM also featured an interactive Q&A session, where members voiced their suggestions and queries. Their feedback was welcomed by the board and noted for future consideration.
Prominent business figures attending the event included Muhammad Iqbal Dawood, Mustafa Hemani, Rashid Ashraf, Abdul Rasheed Chughtai, Saleem Tabani, Iqbal Tabani, Sultan Mahmood, Ejaz Ahmed, Muhammad Naeem, Irfan Ahmad Riaz, Mustafa Altaf, Makhdoom Raees Qureshi, Ashraf Gul, Ali Rao, Nafees Ahmad, Aziz Ali Akbar, Tabish Zaidi, Syed Saleem Akhtar, Muhammad Shoaib, Shazil Merchant, and Sohail Amir Ghumman.
Among the distinguished women in attendance were Anam Baqai, Sadia Abbasi, and Hina Naeem.
Welcoming new members
The Council formally welcomed newly inducted members with certificates of membership. These included Tahir Naqash, Muhammad Ali Abdul Ghaffar, Khizr Mehdi, Muhammad Nauman Khan, Abdul Raheem, Shafiq Hussain, Muhammad Ali Nagi, and Naveed Mushtaq.
The evening concluded with a sumptuous dinner, offering attendees another opportunity for networking and strengthening business ties.