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Senator Sania Nishtar pays tribute to Dr. Ishrat Hussain for his works & professional services during ceremony organized by SDPI

ISLAMABAD : Dr. Ishrat Hussain faced immense challenges in his past efforts to reform the government structure, including down-sizing of the federal government employees, and successfully reduced the number of government institutions from over 400 to 334.

 

This was stated by the former federal minister Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar, at the launching ceremony of ‘Economy, Welfare, and Reforms in Pakistan’ – Essays in Honour of Dr. Ishrat Hussain,’ and ‘Unravelling Gordian Knots: The Works and Worlds of Dr. Ishrat Hussain’, authored by Sibtain Naqvi’. The ceremony was organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here.

 

The Senator said: “Irrespective of the positive or negative response to his opinions and advice, or the success or failure in achieving his innovative policy ideas, Dr. Hussain never gave up his hard work and sincere efforts in the best interest of the people.”

 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ishrat Hussain said he met with immense challenges during his appointments on various positions, but he never compromised on his ideas and professionalism.

 

He advised the budding economists to never get tempted with overnight recognition and always focused on serious work that may give them true recognition. ”We must demolish the boundaries that restrict new talent and technical experts in organizational structures,” he added.

 

Dr. Tariq Banuri, former Chairman of Higher Education Commission, asserted that the innovative approaches of Dr. Hussain for poverty elevation as a World Bank official have demonstrated great success in Africa, central Asia and South Asia.

 

Ms Shaista Sohail, Executive Director of Higher Education Commission (HEC), was of view that Dr. Ishrat Hussain would have transformed the institutional structure of the country, had he continued his career in civil services.

 

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Abid Qayum Suleri, SDPI Executive Director, said the efforts of Dr Hussain to bring about reforms banking especially in the State Bank of Pakistan will always be remembered.

 

Dr. Suleri said: “Dr Hussain played a remarkable role to reform the financing sector of Pakistan in 2000 when the country was on the verge of bankruptcy.” He added that the wisdom and vision of Dr Hussain has also helped in bringing about institutional reforms in the government structure.”

 

Chairman of Rural Support Programmes Network Shoaib Sultan Khan was of view that Dr. Hussain has made a remarkable contribution in social sector development and poverty alleviation programmes in South Asia. Former Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Riaz Mohammad Khan said that Dr. Hussain is as an eminent international economist and development sector expert.

 

Dr. Vaqar Ahmed, SDPI Joint Executive Director, lauded the essays written in honour of Dr. Hussain on macroeconomics, financial markets, public finances, human development, women economic empowerment, etc.

 

Author of the books Sibtain Naqvi acknowledged the efforts and contributions of Dr. Ishrat Husain and said that the title of the biography authored by him is befitting the way he goes about solving complex institutional issues at the national and international level.

 

Haroon Sharif, Former Chairman of Board of Investment and Ambassador (retd) Shafqat Kakakhel, Chairman SDPI Board of Governors, also highlighted various aspects of the personality of Dr. Ishrat Hussain and appreciated his professional efforts during his tenures in different official positions.