Interview with Mr. Adnan Saeed, analyst
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:
Adnan Saeed: I am a Certified Global Teacher by the Varkey Foundation, with more than 26 years of experience in teaching Accounting and Finance. My journey in education has always been focused on making learning simple, practical, and meaningful for students. I believe that students learn better when concepts are clear and connected with real-life situations. I am currently working as Manager Academics at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP). My role includes working on curriculum development, exam design, and improving the overall academic system. Before this, I served as a senior faculty member at the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP), where I was honored several times with the Nationwide Faculty Roll of Honor for my teaching performance. I also had the opportunity to lead the Saeed Academy of Commerce & Economics (SACE), which was founded by my late father, Mr. Anwer Saeed Khan. This academy was created to support students from underprivileged backgrounds. We charged a very small fee and often helped students with books and exam expenses. This experience shaped my belief that education should be accessible to everyone. I have taught at leading universities such as SZABIST, IoBM, and Federal Urdu University, covering subjects like Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, and Public Sector Accounting. I have also conducted many workshops and contributed to academic writing and content development in accounting.
Alongside my academic work, I also run a WhatsApp learning platform called Adnan Saeed’s Wisdom & Work Hub. The purpose of this channel is to provide simple, practical, and daily learning support to students and professionals. I share easy explanations of accounting topics, career guidance, workplace insights, and motivational content so that learning becomes continuous and accessible for everyone. Follow the Adnan Saeed’s Wisdom & Work Hub channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7gl1G9WtC5zjkeR52s
I strongly believe that education should not only prepare students for exams but also help them become confident, ethical, and responsible individuals. My aim is to continue contributing to education in a meaningful way and support learners at every stage of their journey.
PAGE: It is widely believed that providing group health insurance in Pakistan is no longer just a corporate perk, rather it is a necessity for every business. What is your perspective on this regard?
Adnan Saeed: In my view, group health insurance in Pakistan is no longer a luxury. It has become a basic need for every business. The cost of medical treatment in Pakistan has increased a lot in recent years. Many families cannot afford quality healthcare on their own. In such a situation, employers have an important role to play. Group health insurance helps employees feel secure. When a person knows that medical expenses are covered, they can focus better on their work. This improves productivity, reduces stress, and creates a positive work environment. It also helps companies attract and retain good employees, especially in competitive industries. From a business point of view, it is also a smart decision. Healthy employees mean fewer sick leaves and better performance. In the long run, this supports business growth. Many studies and HR reports also show that employee benefits, especially health coverage, are strongly linked with job satisfaction and loyalty. In Pakistan, the need is even greater because there is limited public healthcare support. Private hospitals are expensive, and one serious illness can disturb the financial position of a whole family. Group health insurance reduces this burden and provides dignity and peace of mind to employees. In my opinion, responsible organizations should see this not only as a cost, but as an investment in their people. A business grows when its employees feel valued and protected. That is why group health insurance should now be considered an essential part of every organization in Pakistan.
PAGE: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has granted a licence to Punjab Life Insurance Company Ltd (PLIC), the establishment of a provincial government-owned life insurance company. Would such initiatives increase the insurance penetration in Pakistan?
Adnan Saeed: Yes, such initiatives can help increase insurance penetration in Pakistan. At present, insurance coverage in Pakistan is quite low. According to available industry reports, insurance penetration is around 1% of GDP, which is much lower than in many developing countries. This clearly shows that a large portion of the population is still not covered. The launch of Punjab Life Insurance Company Ltd (PLIC) is a very positive step. A government-owned company can build trust among people, especially those who are hesitant to deal with private insurers. Many individuals avoid insurance due to a lack of awareness or trust. A provincial initiative can help reduce this gap and encourage more people to consider insurance. Another important point is outreach. Such companies can focus on small cities, towns, and rural areas where insurance services are limited. They can offer simple, affordable products for middle- and low-income groups, which is very important in Pakistan’s context. This initiative should also be seen as a model for other provinces. If provinces like Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan also take similar steps, it can create a wider impact across the country. Each province understands its local needs better, so they can design products and awareness campaigns according to their population.
Increased competition from such public sector companies can also improve service quality, reduce costs, and promote innovation in the insurance sector.
In my view, PLIC is not just a single company; it is a starting point. If other provinces follow this approach, it can significantly improve insurance awareness, build public confidence, and increase insurance penetration in Pakistan in a meaningful way.
PAGE: How would you comment on pension-related solutions and annuity products?
Adnan Saeed: Pension-related solutions and annuity products are very important, especially in a country like Pakistan, where many people do not have a proper retirement plan. In the government sector, some employees receive pensions, but in the private sector, a large number of people retire without any regular income. This creates financial pressure in old age.
Pension solutions help people save money during their working years so they can have a steady income after retirement. Annuity products are also very useful because they provide regular payments, usually monthly, for a fixed time or even for life. This gives financial security and peace of mind.
For example, if a person saves regularly in a pension fund for 20 to 25 years, they can build a reasonable amount. After retirement, this amount can be converted into an annuity, which will give him a fixed monthly income. This helps him manage daily expenses without depending on others. In Pakistan, there are options like the Voluntary Pension System introduced by SECP, but awareness is still low. Many people do not think about retirement planning at an early stage. Because of this, they later depend on family or limited savings. In my view, there is a strong need to promote pension and annuity products. Financial institutions should offer simple and affordable plans, and awareness should be increased through education and media. Employers can also support by providing retirement plans to their staff.
Overall, pension and annuity solutions are not just financial products. They help people live with dignity and independence after retirement. If more people start using these solutions, it will create a more secure and stable society.
PAGE: There are some ambitious plans to bring insurance to millions of small businesses. How could this be done rapidly?
Adnan Saeed: Bringing insurance to millions of small businesses in Pakistan is possible, but it requires a practical and fast approach. Small businesses, especially in the informal sector, usually do not buy insurance because of low awareness, complex procedures, and high cost.
The first step is to design simple and affordable insurance products. Policies should be easy to understand, with clear benefits and low premiums. Small business owners prefer quick and simple solutions. The second step is to use digital platforms. Pakistan has over 190 million mobile subscribers, and branchless banking and digital wallets are growing fast. These platforms can help insurance companies reach small businesses quickly and at low cost. Another important step is partnerships. Insurance companies can work with banks, microfinance institutions, telecom companies, and trade associations. For example, a small shopkeeper taking a microloan from a bank can also be offered a low-cost insurance plan at the same time. This makes access easy and practical.
Awareness is also very important. Many small business owners do not understand the value of insurance. Simple campaigns in local languages and real-life examples can help build trust and understanding.
Government and regulatory support from SECP can further speed up this process by encouraging innovation, simplifying rules, and supporting microinsurance initiatives.
In my view, if we combine simple products, digital access, partnerships, and awareness, insurance can be expanded to millions of small businesses in a short time. This will protect businesses from risks and support economic growth in Pakistan.