Technology Leadership

Mehzad Sahar — Technology Leader

Two decades shaping technology strategy at the highest levels — from enterprise CTO roles to national digital transformation mandates, driving innovation across Pakistan and the broader region.

25+
Years in Tech Leadership
Engro Corp
Current Organization
CISSP · CISA · CRISC
Core Certifications
50+
Countries Engaged
"
Technology is never the destination — it is the vehicle. The destination is always human progress.
— Mehzad Sahar
Guiding Principles

Leadership Philosophy

I have led technology functions in some of Pakistan's most complex organizations — telecom giants, financial institutions, and government bodies — and the lesson is always the same: technology succeeds when it is led by people who understand both the machine and the human.

My approach to technology leadership is rooted in three convictions: that strategy must precede technology, that culture determines adoption, and that security is not a constraint but a competitive advantage.

I have built and led teams of hundreds, managed multi-hundred-million dollar technology budgets, and advised boards on digital strategy. In every role, my north star has been the same — use technology to create organizations that are more resilient, more capable, and more human.

Career Highlights

Leadership Roles

Senior CISO / Technology Executive

Telenor Pakistan
2015 – 2018

Led enterprise-wide cybersecurity transformation for one of Pakistan's largest telecom operators. Won the Best Security Award across all 12 Telenor countries. Represented Telenor at national and international cybersecurity conferences.

Best Telenor Security Award — 12 countriesNational Telecom Security Framework for PTACountry-level security awareness campaign (2,000 employees)Systematic penetration testing & audit framework

CISO / Technology Leader

Bank Alfalah
2018 – 2020

Led information security and digital transformation strategy at one of Pakistan's leading commercial banks. Provided executive insights on digital and security transformation featured in national media.

Digital & security transformation strategyNational media coverage — DailyNewsPK interviewFinancial sector cybersecurity frameworkBoard-level risk reporting

Advisory Board Member

CISO Forum Global
2020 – Present

Serving as Advisory Board Member of the CISO Forum — a global community of senior cybersecurity leaders. Contributing to global cybersecurity policy, governance frameworks, and the development of the next generation of security leaders.

Global cybersecurity policy advisoryCISO community leadershipGovernance framework developmentInternational speaker & panelist

Technology Executive

Engro Corp
Current

Currently serving at Engro Corp — one of Pakistan's largest and most diversified conglomerates — bringing decades of cybersecurity, digital transformation, and technology leadership expertise to one of the country's most impactful organizations.

Enterprise technology strategyDigital transformation leadershipCybersecurity governanceCross-sector technology advisory
Where I Create Value

Areas of Impact

Digital Transformation

Architecting and executing end-to-end digital transformation programs — from strategy through delivery — across telecom, banking, energy, and government sectors.

Cybersecurity Leadership

Building world-class security functions, establishing governance frameworks, and embedding a security-first culture across complex, multi-stakeholder organizations.

Technology Strategy

Developing multi-year technology roadmaps aligned with business objectives, translating board-level ambition into executable technology programs.

Innovation & Emerging Tech

Evaluating and integrating emerging technologies — AI, blockchain, cloud, 5G — into enterprise strategy with a focus on risk-adjusted value creation.

Team Building & Culture

Recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performance technology teams. Creating cultures of excellence, accountability, and continuous learning.

Regulatory & Compliance

Navigating complex regulatory environments across telecom, banking, and government — turning compliance obligations into strategic advantages.

The Journey

Career Milestones

1999

Winner of National TechCare Award — early recognition of technology excellence

2001

Delivered Microsoft MCSE Security training to Aramco — first international engagement

2003

Achieved CISSP certification — (ISC)² — one of the world's most respected security credentials

2005

Achieved CISA and PMP certifications — ISACA & PMI

2007

Built Saudi National CERT-SA Security Operation Center as Project Director

2008

International public speaking career begins — 18+ years of global keynotes

2012

ISO 27001 implementation for DU Telecom — CNME ICT Achievement Award runner up

2015

Led National Telecom Security Framework for PTA — Pakistan's national regulator

2018

Best Telenor Security Award across 12 countries — Cyber Security Speaker at Pakistan Civil Services Academy

2020

Member of World Economic Forum CISO Forum — Advisory Board Member, CISO Forum Global

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