In this deeply inspiring session at FC College (FCCU), Zafar Masud, President/CEO of the Bank of Punjab and a survivor of the tragic 2020 plane crash, discusses his book, Seat 1C. He explains that his book is far more than a crash narrative, serving instead as a profound exploration of the vital themes of hope, resilience, and renewal learned from his near-death experience. A major highlight is his powerful concept of “life before death”. Masud describes how the incident cemented the critical importance of living a life with “no regrets,” especially when facing that defining “30 seconds” where one stands answerable to oneself.
The talk also delves into his personal journey and professional philosophy. Masud reflects on his student days at FC College, crediting the institution for encouraging the critical thinking that remains essential to him today. Professionally, he champions a leadership approach based on “Management by Empathy,” emphasizing the need to understand and appreciate people’s backgrounds and constraints to nurture their strengths. He also shares that the experience instilled in him a strong sense of urgency—to act now without delay—and a heightened fearlessness in tackling challenges.
Masud makes a passionate case for the liberal arts, arguing that literature, history, and language are not desperate disciplines but are, in fact, “bosom buddies” with economy and business. He contends that these subjects are crucial for developing the critical thinking and creativity needed to succeed in the modern commercial world. To further encourage the students, he shares a reading from the U2 song “Get Out of Your Own Way,” urging them to eliminate their inner inhibitions and realize that the sky is the limit. Finally, he discusses how he has chosen to channel ‘survivor’s guilt’ into a positive motivation, propelling him to work towards a more equitable world.
Beyond the Crash: Zafar Masud on Hope, Resilience, and the Power of a Life Lived with No Regrets
In a compelling and highly anticipated address at his alma mater, Foreman Christian College (FCCU), Zafar Masud, President/CEO of the Bank of Punjab, shared the profound and life-altering lessons detailed in his book, Seat 1C. Masud, one of only two survivors of the tragic 2020 plane crash in Karachi, emphasized that his book is not a sensational account of the accident, but rather a guide to the human qualities—hope, resilience, and renewal—that define a meaningful life. His talk was a masterclass in critical thinking and empathy, tailored specifically for the students whom he regards as “the most bright formidable and curious minds”.
Masud’s visit to FC College was a homecoming. He recalled his days as a “marginal student” who gained admission through the sports quota—specifically, for table tennis. This institution, he stated, “changed my life,” not just by nurturing his sports skills, but by encouraging critical thinking. This skill, he argued, is the “key thing which makes you different from the others”.
The Core Philosophy: Life Before Death
The most riveting part of the discussion centered on the event that reshaped his perspective: the plane crash. Masud distilled the trauma into a “30-second story”. These 30 seconds were the moment when he was alive, heading toward death, and knew survival was impossible—a metaphorical “brick wall”.
During this time, his entire life flashed before his eyes, and the singular concern was for his loved ones, specifically his mother. Crucially, he recognized that he was a “very satisfied man” with “no regrets”. This led him to formulate his most potent concept: “life before death”.
Masud explained that those 30 seconds represented a moment of ultimate personal accountability, where he was “standing in my own court in my own witness box answerable to myself of how I led my life”. He warned the students that this moment will come for everyone, and it is a chance to prepare now. The goal is to ensure that, in that moment, “you shall not have any regrets whatsoever”. Furthermore, he urged students to cultivate generosity and forgiveness toward the “smaller and trivial issues in life” of others, which will enable them to forgive themselves when the time comes.
Critical Thinking, Creativity, and the Liberal Arts
Masud spoke passionately about the curriculum at FCCU, emphasizing that the liberal arts are essential for success in the commercial world. He forcefully refuted the idea that disciplines like literature and economy are “desperate disciplines,” proclaiming them to be “bosom buddies”.
He argued that a deep appreciation for culture, history, and literature provides a nuanced understanding of reality that fosters critical thinking. This is the very foundation of creativity, and, as Masud asserted, “Creativity and critical thinking are the two sides of the same coin”. An understanding of one’s culture and society allows an individual to “make the difference from the others” by looking at things differently. He concluded by urging the audience to “open your minds, open your horizons… and encourage creativity and critical thinking in your heads”.
In addition to critical thinking, he stressed the paramount importance of technology. He recommended two specific books—The Sovereign Individual and Homodeus—to understand how technology grants individuals “godlike powers” and shifts the balance of control away from traditional sovereigns.
Leadership, Empathy, and the Ecosystem of Support
When asked how the crash transformed his approach to his leadership position at the bank, Masud articulated his core philosophy: “Management by Empathy”. Leadership, he explained, requires one to “understand where other people are coming from,” appreciate their backgrounds and constraints, and then work with them to either nurture their strengths or improve their weaknesses.
He was clear that the only lasting measure of success is the positive impact one has on others. “How people will remember you when you are gone” is the “only legacy”. His personal healing was powered by his “loved ones” and his “ecosystem” of support—not money or position.
The survival experience also resulted in two major internal shifts:
- Sense of Urgency: The realization that one minute before the crash, he didn’t know his fate, leading to the decision: “if anything needed to be done do it now before it’s too late”.
- Increased Fearlessness: While already fearless, the experience made him “a bit too more fearless,” which he noted can be a liability to those who depend on him.
Addressing the Students’ Concerns: Guilt, Risk, and Truth
Masud addressed several questions from the students, offering practical wisdom:
- Survivor’s Guilt: Instead of letting the guilt be a negative force, he proposed that it should be “channelized into something more productive”. Masud views his survival as a motivation “for creating a more equitable world”. He reframed the idea: if we all recognize our privileges as proof of our survival in an “uneven unjust world,” we can use that guilt to “propel us to make change”.
- Calculated Risk vs. Emotional Need: When deciding between a calculated risk and an emotional leap, he advised that the choice “depends on what is the priorities you have set for yourself in life”. If the emotional choice satisfies you and makes you happy, go with it, as it is the emotional strength that is “important than the physical health”.
- Dealing with Doubt: When taking decisions, Masud stressed, “You are cannot be and never be sure”. The key is not assurance but the willingness to be “open-minded and ready to accept that the decision you took was perhaps lacking” and then be prepared to “fix it”.
- Diplomacy vs. Sincerity: A student asked how to maintain a diplomatic nature in social and academic life. Masud’s simple and direct answer was to avoid diplomacy altogether and focus on “truthful and sincerity” to oneself and others. He believes that being honest upfront, even when people don’t want to hear it, earns long-term respect.
Masud concluded with an inspirational call to action, referencing the U2 song, “Get Out of Your Own Way”. He told the students, “nothing stops you except what’s inside” and “You are standing in your own way”. He charged them with the responsibility of leadership: “You will lead them. You have to lead them”. His final, powerful message was one of universal goodness: assume positivity in people’s actions, and “If we choose that path then we’ll live in a world which are which is a world of goodness”.
The standing ovation at the end affirmed that Masud’s tale of survival has indeed translated into an enduring message of purpose and renewal for the next generation.