Page 5 - CMA Journal (Jul-Aug 2026)

From the Desk of
Chief Editor

Dear Readers,
It gives me great pleasure to present the July–August 2026 issue of ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant
Journal, our agship publication. This edition focuses on the theme of Smart Procurement and the Digital
Economy, bringing together diverse perspectives on digital transformation, governance, transparency, arti cial
intelligence, and industrial competitiveness.
The pace of technological change is reshaping how organisations operate, make decisions, and create value. For
management accountants, this transformation expands our role beyond nancial reporting to providing strategic
insight, strengthening controls, managing risks, and supporting evidence based decision making. The focus on
digital and smart procurement is therefore highly relevant, as e ective procurement directly impacts e ciency,
cost management, accountability, and value for money.
This issue features three exclusive interviews with leaders at the forefront of reform and innovation. First, Mr.
Hasnat Ahmed Qureshi, Managing Director, Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), shares insights on
EPADS 2.0, open contracting standards, grievance redressal, and the vision for a uni ed digital procurement
system. Second, Mr. Nawed Tanwir Abbasi, Chairman, Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), discusses
procurement challenges in Pakistan’s energy sector, highlighting resilience, smarter systems, and digital
integration. Third, Mr. Faisal Sharif, Director, South Asia Region, GAC Group, explores opportunities in electric
mobility, battery technology, localisation, and Pakistan’s potential role in regional EV value chains.
The Focus Section of this edition contains 16 articles, including a contribution from our Research & Publications
Department, covering topics such as e-procurement, blockchain, AI driven transparency, ESG integration, and
digital supply chains. These contributions re ect the growing expertise of ICMA members and the profession’s
commitment to advancing procurement and digital economy leadership.
Complementing this, the Articles Section presents analyses on organisational performance, reclassi cation, and
evolving structures in nancial management, alongside a comprehensive guide to Expected Credit Loss. The Top
Technology Trend section examines GenAI’s transformative potential in procurement analytics, while the Sector
Brief provides a focused overview of Pakistan’s digital economy outlook and its implications for procurement
practices.
We trust that the research, interviews, and expert contribution presented here will serve as both a reference and
a catalyst for informed action. Looking ahead, I am pleased to announce that the theme for our
September–October 2026 issue will be “From the Fiscal Burden to Economic Value: The Future of State Owned
Enterprises.” We warmly invite members and external experts to contribute articles that will shape this forward
looking dialogue.
Thank you for your continued readership and engagement.

Muhammad Yasin, FCMA
Vice President, ICMA &
Chairman, Research and Publications Committee

ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Jul-Aug 2026 3