Umer Farid Joins PSTD Board as Focus on Workforce Development Grows

Amid growing emphasis on building future-ready organizations, the Pakistan Society for Training & Development (PSTD) has appointed PTCL Chief People Officer Umer Farid to its Board of Governors.

The move adds a business leader with extensive experience in people management and organizational transformation to one of Pakistan’s oldest professional bodies dedicated to learning and development.

Farid currently heads the people function at PTCL, where he oversees talent management, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and workforce strategy. Before joining PTCL, he held senior HR positions at PepsiCo, British American Tobacco, Telenor Group, and Pakistan Tobacco Company, building experience across multiple international markets.

His appointment reflects the increasing convergence of business leadership and workforce development, as organizations place greater importance on skills, culture, and leadership capabilities to navigate technological change.

Founded nearly 60 years ago, PSTD continues to work with public and private sector organizations to promote professional development and lifelong learning. Observers believe the addition of experienced industry leaders to its governing board will further strengthen its engagement with the corporate sector and help align learning initiatives with evolving business priorities.

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