1987 marked the beginning of a new era for Chartered Accountancy education in Pakistan when Mr.Ishfaq Ahmed, FCA (late) founded the Academy of Professional Accountants (APA). The founder had a vision to start coaching of accountancy education at an institution level; therefore, he left his job as finance manager in a company and began teaching on a full time basis. When the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) introduced full-time classes for C.A Foundation, another institution under the name and style of The Professionals’ Academy of Commerce was established. The Academy’s history started with two students. Most of the friends and relatives of the founder doubted his wisdom in leaving a secure job and starting a formal Chartered Accountancy education institute. But the founder was passionately committed to promoting the profession of accountancy in the country. In the beginning, a few people joined Mr. Ishfaq Ahmed and supported his mission to change the future of accountancy education in the country. Today there are more than 33 colleges spread across the country imparting education to the students of accountancy and this has been made possible by the vision given by the Founder of PAC more than two decades ago. Ishfaq had great love for his students and in turn was greatly admired by them. His aim was to work for their better education, career and life. On one occasion he even went to the extent of filing a writ petition in the Lahore High Court against the compulsory buying of study packs, which ultimately resulted in the withdrawal of that condition by ICAP. Whenever there were matters affecting students and profession of Chartered Accountancy, Mr. Ishfaq Ahmed took the lead in making representation to the ICAP. The founder of PAC played a key role in filing a writ petition against the limitation of the number of attempts to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. Ishfaq Ahmed, FCA (late) strongly believed in Namaz (prayer), Such (truth) and Rizq-e-Halal (honest earning) and left these important values which form the foundation of PAC culture. FOUNDER’S MESSAGE
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION, AND NOT AN ORDINARY QUALIFICATION IN GENERAL EDUCATION,SHOULD BE THE FOCAL POINT OF EVERY STUDENT. THE YOUTH OF THE NATION SHOULD NOT BE LEFT IDLE TO WASTE ITS TIME. THEY MUST BE PERSUADED AND MOTIVATED TO PURSUE HIGHER STUDIES IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY, AND TO ACHIEVE THEIR QUALIFICATION IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME. BUT THEY MUST REMEMBER THAT THIS LIFE IS FLEETING. IT IS A PREPARATORY FIELD FOR THE LIFE HEREAFTER. THIS FACT SHALL ENABLE THEM TO STRIVE FOR THE SUCCESS IN THE HEREAFTER ALSO. FOR THAT SUCCESS THEY MUST
OFFER THEIR PRAYERS REGULARLY
BE TRUTHFUL &
EARN ‘RIZQ-E-HALAL’
