Dr Ishrat Husain’s book launched
Former State Bank of Pakistan governor Ishrat Hussain. PHOTO: FILE
Former federal minister Senator Dr Saniya Nishtar has said Dr Ishrat Husain faced immense challenges in his past efforts to reform the government structure, including downsizing the federal government employees, and successfully reducing the number of government institutions from over 400 to 334.
She was speaking at the launching ceremony of ‘Economy, Welfare, and Reforms in Pakistan’ - Essays in Honour of Dr Ishrat Husain,’ and ‘Unravelling Gordian Knots: The Works and Worlds of Dr Ishrat Husain’, authored by Sibtain Naqvi’.
The ceremony was organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Thursday.
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 Husain never gave up his hard work and sincere efforts in the best interest of the people.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Husain 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 focus on serious work that may give them true recognition.
"We must demolish the boundaries that restrict new talent and technical experts in organisational structures,” he added.
Former Chairman of Higher Education Commission Dr Tariq Banuri asserted that the innovative approaches of Dr Husain for poverty elevation as a World Bank official have demonstrated great success in Africa, central Asia and South Asia.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) Executive Director Shaista Sohail was of view that Dr Husain would have transformed the institutional structure of the country, had he continued his career in civil services.
SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qayum Suleri said that the efforts of Dr Husain to bring about reforms banking especially in the State Bank of Pakistan will always be remembered.
Dr Suleri said, “Dr Husain 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 Husain 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 Husain 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 Husain is as an eminent international economist and development sector expert.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2022.