The story of Seat 1C is more than just a tale of survival—it’s a powerful lesson in human resilience, empathy, and leadership. Watch Zafar Masud as he shares his life lessons and ten core themes drawn from the experience that led to his book, “Seat 1C: Ten Themes from Experience, Survival, and the Will to Rebuild Stronger.”
Zafar Masud at Mobilink’s #LearningFest2025 Event
This session was recorded live at Mobilink’s #LearningFest2025 event, where Mr. Zafar Masud had the privilege of discussing how true leadership is ultimately about the courage to be human, even when facing the toughest challenges.
Seat 1C: A Reflection on Resilience, Empathy, and the Courage to Lead
The focus at the LearningFest2025 event is set on a discussion that transcends typical corporate discourse, delving instead into the profound depths of human experience, leadership, and survival. Featuring Mr. Zafar Masud, President and CEO of the Bank of Punjab, whose life story is not just a tale of professional achievement but a testament to an unimaginable personal ordeal that fundamentally reshaped his philosophy on life and leadership.
His narrative at LearningFest2025 has been described as one of three powerful types: one that changes headlines, one that changes systems, and, most importantly, one that changes the person who carries it. Mr. Masud is a leader who has demonstrably lived through all three. This public address at LearningFest2025, named after his memoir, Seat 1C, is not merely a recounting; it is an exploration of translating sheer survival into actionable wisdom, focusing intensely on the pillars of Resilience, Empathy, and the Courage to Lead.
Part I: The Genesis of Wisdom – Survival and the Scars of Seat 1C
Mr. Masud’s narrative is anchored in the catastrophic event that indelibly marked his life: the 2020 plane crash of PIA Flight PK-8303. His survival, an almost miraculous event that left him as one of only two people to walk away, serves as the crucible from which his current wisdom is forged. This experience provides the central context for his introspection on mortality, purpose, and professional responsibility.
His personal journey of recovery and reflection culminated in his book, Seat 1C, a title that refers to his assigned seat on the ill-fated flight. However, he revealed a deeper, more personal title he originally favored: “Borrowed Heaven.” This concept stems from a song by The Corrs, which he listened to “incessantly” during his recovery. The powerful realization that his time on earth is now an unexpected gift—that he is “living on borrowed time”—is the cornerstone of his post-crash philosophy.
This state is the ultimate expression of resilience. It is a mindset that transforms a traumatic event from a disabling scar into a dynamic force for change and purpose. He highlighted how this personal reckoning with fate provides a unique lens for a corporate leader to view risk, human capital, and the ultimate mission of their work.
In a profound moment of reflection, he recited the lyrics that resonated most deeply with him, offering a crucial lesson for all, especially younger professionals:
“You gave me life, and I will give you back, but before I do, I’m gonna hold it tight. This is my prayer. All body, all skin, all bone—borrowed… All mighty, I stand alone, I know I am living in borrowed, borrowed heaven.”
This is a stark reminder that everything—our physical existence, our achievements, our time—is temporary, or “borrowed.” This shift in perspective compels a leader to pursue meaning and impact over mere accumulation.
Part II: Redefining Achievement and the Humility of a Leader
A key moment in the LearningFest2025 discussion occurred when the moderator challenged Mr. Masud to describe himself without his job titles or corporate achievements, suggesting they be metaphorically placed “on the shelf.” His response was one of striking humility, immediately rejecting the notion of “achievements” as a positive narrative: “Achievements per se are a very negative… So I do not consider myself somebody who is who has achieved something… in the material world.”
He defined himself in the most fundamental human terms:
“I am a human at heart. I am a mere mortal and, at best, an observer. That’s how I would like to define [myself].”
This self-definition as an “observer” and a “mere mortal” is central to his leadership style. It is the counterpoint to the arrogance often associated with high office. He humorously recounted his own tendency to sometimes assume an aura of a spiritual leader or a “chosen one” by God, and sincerely thanked his family and friends “who bring me down under the cage again and again.” This highlights a crucial element of sustained, humble leadership: the need for an honest, external support system to provide grounding and perspective.
The underlying message is clear: true leadership is not about the accolades (the material world) but about the character forged through life’s trials. Resilience, in this context, is the capacity to remain grounded and prioritize inner growth over external validation.
The importance of this support system was further emphasized when he acknowledged the critical role his “friends and family had to play” in his recovery. This supportive, empathetic environment allowed him to focus on healing and internal recovery rather than external pressures.
Part III: The Courage to Lead – Balancing Bottom Line and Larger View
The LearningFest2025 address provided a valuable case study in courageous and empathetic leadership by focusing on Mr. Masud’s admiration for Mr. Aamir R. U., the Chairman of the Board of the host institution.
Mr. Masud holds Mr. R. U. in high regard, calling him a friend and “somebody who has the heart at the right place.” He praised the Chairman as one of the rare people who “genuinely feel that they want to bring some difference into the system.” This is the essence of purpose-driven leadership.
However, the discourse immediately pivoted to the core conflict faced by every conscientious commercial leader: the struggle to maintain profitability while driving systemic change.
“I have also seen him and observed him how at times he really needs to struggle between the bottom line and the larger view, because at the end of the day, he is working for a commercial organization.”
This struggle defines the Courage to Lead. It is not easy to make sacrifices for a greater good when commercial pressures demand quarterly profits. Mr. Masud noted that for the “larger benefit,” such leaders sometimes “incur a personal loss [loss for the bank],” even if it affects the revenue of allied organizations, including his own.
The admiration for this form of leadership is clear: leaders who are willing to risk commercial metrics for a moral imperative—for social responsibility, for creating a better system—are desperately needed. “We need more [leaders like him] of the world.”
This segment served as a powerful call for Empathy in the banking and finance sectors. Mr. Masud specifically praised the host organization’s work in areas like:
- Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) aspect
- Environmental aspect
- Harnessing the aspect of Agriculture
He described this work as “phenomenal” and “contagious,” something his own organization is trying to emulate. This demonstrates that true leadership courage is often found in the commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, which requires leaders to look beyond immediate profit margins and embrace the “larger view.”
Part IV: Leadership as Service and the Quest for Meaning
Ultimately, the LearningFest2025 discussion circled back to the core theme of translating a near-death experience into a new philosophy of management and life. Mr. Masud’s survival instilled a profound sense of responsibility—a duty to utilize this “borrowed time” to maximum impact.
The ability to look at one’s life through the lens of a limited, and now extended, timer provides clarity on priorities. It strips away the superficial concerns of the “material world” and focuses the mind on what truly matters: making a systemic, lasting difference. His leadership at the Bank of Punjab, therefore, is not merely a job title, but a platform for this new mission.
The closing sentiment of his address at LearningFest2025 perfectly encapsulates the journey from survival to wisdom:
“Thank you for sharing your time, sharing your life lessons, and for translating survival to wisdom and reminding us that leadership [is] precedence and meaning and decent.”
This translation of survival into wisdom is the final, greatest act of resilience. It is the difference between simply being a leader and leading with courage and empathy. The story of Seat 1C is a powerful narrative for the modern corporate world, urging leaders to:
- Embrace Humility: Acknowledge your mortality and reliance on others. Define yourself by character, not just title.
- Prioritize Purpose: Consciously struggle for the “larger view” against the pressures of the “bottom line.”
- Cultivate Empathy: Recognize that your system is a part of the larger social and environmental structure, and lead with a commitment to inclusion and responsibility.
Mr. Zafar Masud’s discussion at LearningFest2025 serves as a powerful and deeply personal reminder that the most impactful leadership emerges from a place of profound personal truth and a deep commitment to service, a service driven by the realization that all we have is precious and “borrowed.”
The Visionary Summit: LearningFest2025 and the Redefinition of Corporate Wisdom
LearningFest2025, anchored by one of Pakistan’s largest digital microfinance institutions, Mobilink Bank, was not merely an industry conference; it was a powerful synthesis of corporate vision, digital innovation, and profound human resilience. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving financial landscape, the event served as a critical platform for dissecting the future of leadership, technology, and purpose-driven business. By bringing together corporate executives, thought leaders, and internal stakeholders, the event underscored the host organization’s commitment to nurturing a culture of continuous learning and translating institutional success into systemic impact.
The bank’s strategic focus on its internal growth and external mandate—evidenced by its celebrated “School of Learning (SOL)” initiatives and its recent recognition as the ‘Best Place to Work’ in Pakistan’s banking industry—provided the intellectual foundation for the Fest. LearningFest2025, in this context, operated as a beacon, illuminating the pathways that link organizational excellence to genuine societal empowerment, particularly in the critical sectors of microfinance, digital banking, and financial inclusion.
The Intellectual Core: Zafar Masud’s Keynote on Resilience and Purpose at LearningFest2025
The undeniable highlight and moral centerpiece of LearningFest2025 was the address delivered by Mr. Zafar Masud, President and CEO of the Bank of Punjab. His session, titled after his memoir, Seat 1C, transformed the typically dry corporate gathering into a deep, philosophical exploration of life, leadership, and the extraordinary human capacity for survival. The choice of Mr. Masud as a keynote speaker perfectly mirrored the Bank’s emphasis on character and meaning as essential components of modern leadership.
The Philosophy of ‘Borrowed Heaven’
Mr. Masud’s narrative at LearningFest2025 is inseparable from his survival as one of the two individuals who lived through the catastrophic 2020 PIA Flight PK-8303 air crash. His survival instilled in him a profound, actionable realization: that he is now living on “borrowed time.” This powerful concept forms the basis of his book and his post-crash philosophy, which he originally intended to title Borrowed Heaven.
This philosophical shift moves beyond mere recovery and embraces a new form of accountability. Instead of being disabled by trauma, he has channeled the experience into a unique ethical compass for corporate governance. His reflection challenges the traditional definition of achievement, forcing listeners to question the pursuit of material success alone. He humbly defines himself not by his powerful titles but as “a human at heart… a mere mortal and, at best, an observer.” This radical humility serves as a direct challenge to the often-arrogant ethos of high corporate office, advocating for a grounded, self-aware leadership that recognizes the ephemeral nature of all status and wealth.
Accountability and the Moral Ledger
The enduring lesson from his near-death experience, Mr. Masud shared, was not about divine selection, but about a personal and continuous process of self-accountability. He detailed how, in the fleeting seconds before the crash, his “entire life passed before [his] eyes,” prompting an instantaneous audit of his life’s moral ledger.
“We should not wait for [the afterlife] and do our own accountability now while we are alive and kicking. And that is the gist of my book, my reactions and learning in those 30 life-changing seconds.”
This sentiment provides a powerful mandate for corporate leaders: to embed ethical governance and social responsibility into their daily operations, rather than waiting for external crises or legal mandates. His story of being saved by complete strangers, who helped him “only out of the goodness of their heart,” underscores the supreme value of empathy and human connection over rank and power. It is this fundamental focus on goodness and human dignity that was held up as the gold standard for leadership at LearningFest2025.
Pillars of the LearningFest2025 Agenda: Forging the Digital and Human Future
While the LearningFest2025 keynote provided the event’s moral gravitas, the broader LearningFest2025 agenda focused on Mobilink Bank’s core operational strengths and strategic commitments for the future, synthesizing three major thematic tracks: Digital Transformation, Human Capital, and Societal Impact.
1. Digital Transformation and FinTech Innovation
As one of Pakistan’s leading digital banks, this track was dedicated to exploring the future of financial services and how technology can democratize access. The discussions likely revolved around:
- Accelerating Digital Inclusion: Given the bank’s deep roots in microfinance, sessions would have focused on leveraging digital channels (like JazzCash, its affiliated service) to reach the millions of unbanked citizens in Pakistan, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. This includes the development of user-friendly mobile interfaces and agent networks to facilitate last-mile financial access.
- AI and Data-Driven Decision Making: Analyzing how Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics can enhance risk management, personalize customer offerings, and drastically improve efficiency in micro-lending—a sector where traditional credit scoring is often absent.
- The Future of Payments and Digital Ecosystems: Discussions on integrating banking services into broader digital ecosystems, such as utility payments, e-commerce, and the gig economy, to ensure banking is seamless and embedded in the daily lives of customers. The commitment of the bank’s parent company, VEON Group, to technological infrastructure investment underscores the seriousness of this focus.
2. Human Capital and the ‘Best Place to Work’ Culture
A learning festival such as LearningFest2025 is inherently centered on human development. This track celebrated the bank’s distinction as the ‘Best Place to Work’ and dissected the strategies required to cultivate and sustain an empathetic, high-performance organizational culture.
- The School of Learning (SOL) Model: Sessions detailed the organization’s commitment to providing superior educational programs in both technical and soft skill development. The focus here is on creating in-house expertise through programs like the Master Trainer Program, ensuring knowledge transfer is organic and tailored to the unique demands of digital microfinance.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Reflecting a strong industry trend and internal commitment, a significant portion of the track addressed how to foster an inclusive workplace. Initiatives like the Campus Thrive Program and support for women-led startups (as seen in their partnership with Women University Mardan) would have been highlighted. These sessions would have gone beyond rhetoric to detail practical strategies for increasing female participation in the economic and digital landscape.
- Leadership Through Crisis and Empathy: Directly following Mr. Masud’s keynote, this thread analyzed how to build resilience within teams, emphasizing conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and leadership that prioritizes employee well-being alongside commercial targets. This reinforces the core message that a bank cannot serve society without first valuing its own people.
3. Financial Inclusion and Societal Impact (ESG Mandate)
This track explored the “larger view” that Mr. Masud eloquently discussed—the ethical mandate for a commercial entity to pursue a purpose beyond profit. Mobilink Bank’s operations are intrinsically tied to social and economic empowerment, making this segment crucial.
- Empowering MSMEs and Agriculture: As a microfinance bank, the focus on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the agricultural sector is paramount. Sessions would have addressed innovative financing models, including exploration of Islamic banking solutions, to bridge the financing gap for farmers and small business owners who form the backbone of Pakistan’s economy.
- Sustainable Banking and Climate Resilience: Discussions around embedding sustainability into operations, reflecting the increasing global urgency for financial institutions to address climate change and environmental impact. Given the macroeconomic uncertainties in the region, the role of finance in building regional economic resilience would have been a central point of debate, in line with discussions at other major forums where the bank’s leadership has participated.
- The Ethics of Technology: A critical discussion on ensuring that technological advancement is responsible and does not widen the digital divide. This involves promoting financial literacy and ensuring that digital products are simple, transparent, and built on principles of the “Fair Treatment of Customers.”
The Legacy of LearningFest2025
LearningFest2025 was more than a temporal event; it represented a strategic investment in the future of the organization and the industry. By placing courage, empathy, and resilience at the forefront of the dialogue—literally positioning the extraordinary journey of a crash survivor as the central lesson—Mobilink Bank demonstrated a mature understanding of 21st-century leadership.
The synergy between the philosophical gravity of Seat 1C and the technical ambition of the Digital Transformation track at LearningFest2025 created a compelling mandate. It signaled that the pursuit of technological innovation must be guided by a clear moral compass.
The legacy of the event LearningFest2025 is likely to be measured not just in new financial products or operational efficiencies, but in the enduring change it inspires in its attendees: a renewed commitment to the “larger view,” where commercial success is inseparable from the goal of building a more inclusive, resilient, and human-centric financial system for Pakistan. The lessons from Zafar Masud’s survival, where he found profound clarity, provided a powerful, personal echo to the institutional quest for meaning and sustainable growth.