Technology · Leadership · Education
Empowering Organizations & People through Digital Transformation
25+ years driving strategy, policy and digital innovation — from US industry to IBA Karachi and IoBM. President & CEO of the Pakistan Freelancers Association, host of the Digital Pakistan podcast, and mentor to 25,000+ young Pakistanis.
Leadership
Institute of Business Management (IoBM)
Leading the institute’s digital strategy and technology function, and hosting IoBM’s Digital Pakistan podcast on the country’s digital transformation.
PAFLA
Leading the national association for Pakistan’s freelance workforce.
2026 – presentIBA Karachi
Delivered ERP, cloud, BI and Pakistan’s first university Tier III data center; launched diplomas and youth skills programs.
FormerGovt. of Sindh · IST Department
Co-working, seed capital, investor access and mentorship for early-stage tech ventures.
2018Boards & committees
ICAP Digital Assurance & Accounting Board, IBA Executive Committee (2013–2020), FPCCI, P@SHA, PIPFA; Judge, IT World Awards.
All board roles →Publishing & media
A roadmap for government, industry and academia — plus columns in The News and Express Tribune.
Read the articles →United States
International industry experience that shaped a career in enterprise systems and digital strategy.
Full profile →
Conversations on the urgent need for digitization in Pakistan — how technology can drive social progress, smarter public services and a stronger digital economy. Hosted by Dr. Imran Batada, produced by IoBM.
About
Before IoBM, Dr. Batada served as CIO & Director, Center for ICT at IBA Karachi, and worked with market-leading companies in the United States. He has consulted for public and private sector organisations and taught at leading universities across Pakistan.
He founded the Sindh Research Incubation Centre and partnered with government and donor agencies on youth programs that boosted Pakistan’s freelance economy. In 2026 he was appointed President & CEO of the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), and he has served on the boards of FPCCI, P@SHA, ICAP-DAAB, PIPFA and the IBA Executive Committee.
Full profile →
Author
A practical roadmap for government, industry and academia on digital transformation — covering e-governance, the digital economy, freelancing and skills, and the policies that turn technology into national progress.
Available in university libraries across Pakistan and circulated to government departments. Launch covered by Daily Times and Business Recorder.
Recognition
Recognised by the Global CIO Forum as a transformative technology leader, every year from 2020 to 2025.
Credentials & details →
Presented by Pakistan Digital Flight and Youth Ka Pakistan (YKP), with the Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Government of Pakistan, at the Uraan-e-AI Seminar.
National recognition at Governor House, Sindh, for distinguished PAFLA leadership and producing over 25,000 freelancers.
Global CIO 200 Summit, Pakistan Edition — conferred on Dr. Imran Batada, IoBM.
Transform Award 2025 by the CxO Global Forum.
Ideal Excellence Awards in IT, Mövenpick Hotel Karachi.
On the global stage
International · PAFLASigned an MoU for PAFLA with the Center for Global IT Cooperation, Moscow.
Moscow, Russia
Fireside chat & panelAI fireside chat and panel on the final day of the 28th ITCN Asia.
Karachi
Fireside chatFireside chat on AI, startups and Digital Pakistan.
Karachi
Guest speaker & moderatorData, digital intelligence and resilience in modern procurement — GPS 2026, Textile Edition.
Karachi
Moderator“Shaping the Future of Pakistan’s Telecom Ecosystem” — Karachi Marriott.
Karachi
Panel moderatorModerated the digital transformation panel — “Islamic Finance 5.0: Embracing Technology”.
Karachi
SpeakerHow generative AI is reshaping productivity and the economy.
Karachi
Fireside chat“Unlocking the Digital Opportunities” — digital transformation, innovation and AI.
Karachi
Guest of HonorCelebrating Pakistan’s next generation of tech leaders at ITCN Asia.
Karachi
Keynote & host“Generative AI: Urgency, Opportunity & Disruption” — with TCN, Expo Centre Karachi.
Karachi
Chief GuestRecognising the toppers of the 2024–2025 batch.
Karachi
VIP delegateGlobal Security Symposium & CISO Awards, Pakistan Edition.
LahoreJournal of Education & Educational Development · IoBM
Read paper ↗Journal of Independent Studies & Research Computing · SZABIST
Read paper ↗ABAC Journal · Assumption University
Read paper ↗Journal of ICMA Pakistan · ICMA Pakistan
Read article →Peer-reviewed papers at conferences in Europe and North America
Post implementation of ERP systems
International Conference on Analytics Driven Solutions (ICAS)
View paper ↗FranceParisThe role of SEO and e-marketing in a stronger web presence
International Conference on Computer Science & Information Technology
View paper ↗CanadaMontrealMeasuring system performance & user satisfaction after ERP implementation
Informing Science & IT Education Conference (InSITE)
View paper ↗ItalyRomeOpen source learning management systems for the education industry
GUIDE International Conference
View paper ↗CanadaTorontoSelection, implementation & post-production of an ERP system
International Conference on Information Management & Evaluation (ICIME)
View paper ↗Social learning management systems in higher education
World Non-Profit & Social Marketing Conference
Latest writing
In the media
Speaking for Pakistan’s freelancers and digital economy as President & CEO of PAFLA.
TVAwaz TVEducation Day — views on education and opportunityJan 2026 · Watch ↗
TV365 NewsRise & Shine — the MoU between Pakistan and World Liberty FinancialJan 2026 · Watch ↗
TVTVAI and its impact on education & career growth2026
TVARYSustainable Development Goals — The Sustainable Pakistan Initiative2025
TVCity 21City @10 with Saba Shaikh — can AI replace humans?Jun 2025 · Watch ↗
TVCity 21City @10 with Saba Shaikh — social media, privacy & growing your e-businessFeb 2025 · Watch ↗
TVAaj TVThe pressure to be strong: men’s mental healthFeb 2025 · Watch ↗
TVVenus HDAgenda of the Day: Digital Transformation, with host Siddique SarwarMay 2023
RadioFM 100 PakistanGood Morning Pakistan with RJ Sameeha — Digital PakistanMar 2023
TVMetro One NewsLive show with A&I Group — Connekt Summit2023“Pakistan’s skilled workforce is one of our greatest national assets.”
Read on Daily Pakistan ↗ Business RecorderQuoted“Pakistan’s freelancers have contributed nearly USD 1 billion in foreign exchange this fiscal year.”
Read on Business Recorder ↗ Business RecorderQuoted“PAFLA supports all digital workers contributing to the national economy.”
Read on Business Recorder ↗ ProPakistaniNewsPakistani freelancers “had outperformed those in India, China, the UAE, and several other countries.”
Read on Dawn ↗ The NationNewsKeynotes, consulting, board roles and training programs.
