The Business Incubation Center (BIC) of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) organized a seminar on financial management for male students of the Faculty of Management Sciences (FMS) at the Ibn-e-Khaldoun Auditorium.
The session featured Mr. Abu Bakar Iqbal, Unit Head Corporate North and Vice President, Askari Bank, who delivered a lecture on “Financial Planning, Budgeting and Fund Raising for a Business Model.”
The seminar brought together students interested in launching startups as well as those aspiring to pursue careers in corporate finance. Mr. Iqbal guided participants on developing realistic financial forecasts, budget allocation for sustainable growth, and identifying suitable fundraising avenues for early-stage ventures. He emphasized the integration of financial planning with business strategy, cash-flow discipline, and choosing funding models aligned with a company’s development stage and risk profile.
The guest speaker shared practical insights and real-world case studies, encouraging students to critically assess their entrepreneurial ideas and the financial frameworks needed to transform them into feasible business models.
The event also included an interactive question-and-answer session where students raised queries about bootstrapping versus external funding, preparing bank-ready financial documents, valuation fundamentals for startups, and effective approaches to corporate and venture capital investors. Mr. Iqbal cautioned young entrepreneurs against common financial errors such as exaggerated revenue projections, misjudging working capital requirements, and spending out of sync with strategic goals.
Speaking on the occasion, Engr. Muhammad Ahsen Mirza said that the seminar is part of BIC’s continued efforts to equip management students with market-driven skills. He added that by engaging industry professionals from leading financial institutions, the center aims to enhance students’ exposure to contemporary corporate finance practices and strengthen academia-industry linkages.