Dr Ishrat Husain

An internationally renowned economist as well as an accomplished scholar, Dr Husain joined the World Bank in 1979 and performed in many functions including as Resident Representative to Nigeria where he contributed to the country's first structural adjustment programme; head of the Debt and International Finance Division which together with the IMF participated in the Brady Initiative for Debt Reduction; as well as Chief Economist for Africa, East Asia and the Pacific Region. In 1997 he was named the Country Director for Central Asian Republics.

In 1999, Dr Husain was selected by President Musharraf to become the Governor of Pakistan's Central Bank during which he steered major reforms in the banking sector. As a scholar, Dr Husain has maintained an active interest in development issues and has authored 12 books among numerous other publications focussing on debt, adjustment, African development and poverty and Pakistan's economy. Dr Husain has a Master's degree in Development Economics from Williams College and a Doctorate in Economics from Boston University. He is a graduate of the Executive Development programme jointly sponsored by Harvard, Stanford and INSEAD. Dr Husain was decorated with the 'Hilal-e-Imtiaz' by the President of Pakistan in 2003. He was appointed to the Aga Khan University Board of Trustees in November 2006.