About — Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

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Years of Experience

Biography

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Institutional Development Expert · Governance Reform Consultant · Former CEO, PASDEC · Columnist & Author

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh is a Pakistani institutional development expert, governance reform consultant, former corporate executive, columnist, and author. He has over 25 years of leadership experience across public-sector institutions, financial services, development consulting, and industrial-sector transformation.

His work spans the full arc of institutional change — from diagnostic assessments and governance framework design, to executive leadership of complex public organisations. He has contributed to some of Pakistan's most significant institutional reform efforts, including at PASDEC and WAPDA.

As a columnist, his voice has appeared in leading Pakistani publications on subjects ranging from governance deficits and economic policy to mineral sector development, CPEC, and social reform. His book — a compilation of over 50 articles — stands as a coherent intellectual contribution to Pakistan's reform discourse.

Three Dimensions of Service

Leadership · Reform · Thought Leadership

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Leadership Background

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh's executive career includes his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of PASDEC (Pakistan Stone Development Company), where he led a comprehensive institutional overhaul, alongside significant leadership roles in Pakistan's banking and investment sector.

These roles have provided direct exposure to the operational, political, and financial complexities that make institutional reform both necessary and difficult.

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Governance & Reform Work

His reform credentials extend beyond corporate titles. He has contributed to WAPDA's institutional reform under a World Bank-funded initiative — conducting governance diagnostics, accountability framework design, and performance management systems for one of Pakistan's most critical utilities.

He currently serves as a Member of the PEMRA Council of Complaints Punjab, bringing his institutional perspective to bear on media governance and public oversight.

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Public Thought Leadership

With over 100 published columns and articles, Zahid Maqsood Sheikh is among Pakistan's more prolific voices on institutional development. His writing covers governance, economic development, mineral wealth, SMEs, SOEs, CPEC, digital transformation, and social reform.

His first book — compiled from his initial 50 articles — provides a structured, accessible framework for understanding and responding to Pakistan's institutional challenges.

Professional Journey

Career Milestones

Present

Member — PEMRA Council of Complaints Punjab Regulatory Role

Serving on Pakistan's media regulatory complaints council, contributing expertise on institutional oversight, accountability, and media governance in Punjab.

Ongoing

Independent Consultant & Columnist Advisory & Thought Leadership

Operating as an independent governance and institutional development consultant while maintaining an active column on national policy, governance reform, and economic strategy in leading Pakistani publications.

Key Role

Governance Reform Consultant — IARC/WAPDA World Bank-Funded Initiative

Contributed to Pakistan's largest utility reform programme, conducting institutional diagnostics and designing accountability frameworks under a major World Bank-funded governance reform initiative at WAPDA.

Key Role

Chief Executive Officer — PASDEC Pakistan Stone Development Company

Led the comprehensive institutional transformation of PASDEC — one of Punjab's key industrial development authorities — overhauling governance structures, financial management processes, strategic direction, and industrial promotion activities.

Foundation

Banking & Investment Sector Multiple Senior Roles

Built foundational leadership experience across multiple senior positions in Pakistan's banking and investment sector, developing expertise in portfolio management, risk frameworks, corporate finance, and institutional capacity building.

Education & Credentials

Academic Foundation

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Academic Qualifications

Formal academic education in business, finance, and management — providing the theoretical grounding for a career that has consistently bridged policy and practice.

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Professional Development

Supplemented by extensive professional development in governance, public administration, institutional reform, and development policy through national and international programmes.

The Man Behind the Mission