Services in the field of education: IBA director Dr Ishrat Husain to be awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz

Ex-SBP governor says the recognition for his passion, which is education, adds greater meaning to the award for him

KARACHI: The government has confirmed that former State Bank governor and the current dean and director of Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Dr Ishrat Husain will be awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz for services rendered in the field of education.

“I am very grateful to the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan for giving me this award and for recognising my work,” Dr Husain told The Express Tribune.

The award will be presented during an investiture ceremony on Independence day, August 14.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr Husain noted that he has had no bigger impact on the county than by strengthening Pakistan’s banking sector as chief of the central bank, which ultimately helped banks weather the 2008 banking crisis. He added that he continues to contribute to the economic sector by representing Pakistan at various international fora in addition to serving on the boards of a number of companies.

But education, he says, is his passion.

“This is my passion that I want to work with the younger generation.”

He adds that though he has previously been awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, it is the recognition for his services in education which adds greater meaning to this award.

“This is my passion, which is education. Pakistan's biggest problem is education.”

A statement issued by the IBA on Wednesday noted how Dr Husain, since taking over as dean and director, has transformed the educational institution, turning it into a “world-class institute.”