The Pioneers
FEW NOTABLE ALUMNI OF 1970’S
Professor Dr. Syed Tahir Ali was the alumnus of the first (two years) batch of M.Sc. Economics. He was enrolled in session 1970-72. This batch was admitted in Satellite Town campus and completed final year at new campus. Immediately after completing M.Sc. he joined Pakistan Institute of Development Economics in March 1973 and served there for about one year. Later on he got Ph.D. degree from McMaster University. After Ph.D. he joined International Islamic University, Islamabad as founding faculty member and retired in 2011. During his stay at International Islamic University, Islamabad he served as Director General for 2 ½ years. After retirement he joined International Islamic University, Malaysia. At present he is Emeritus Professor at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
Dr. Rashid Aziz was the student of 1971-73 session. This was the first batch which that studied for the full two years at the new campus. Immediately after completing M.Sc. he went to McMaster University, from where he earned Ph.D. degree in April 1981. On returning Pakistan, he worked as a Research Economist at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics from 1981 to mid-1982, and then joined World Bank office in Islamabad. He served in World Bank at various key positions and retired in December 2013.
Mr. Hafizur Rehman is another graduate of 1971-73. Immediately after completing M.Sc. Economics he joined Monopoly Control Authority. Later on he joined DMG after clearing CSS and served as Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner in KPK and Commissioner Karachi in Sindh. He also headed several departments both in KPK and Sindh. In Islamabad served as Federal Secretary in four different divisions. During the process also remained Chairman PTCL, Chairman Board of Governors Virtual University and Vice Chairman PTDC. Academic pursuits also continued and attended a post graduate course on Development Economics in Cambridge University UK. In 2002-2003 revisited QAU through National Defence College to earn a second degree, this time in DSS. In 2010 said good bye to service after superannuation and thereafter spending time with family, friends, travelling and playing golf.
Dr. Hanid Mukhtar is another promising graduate of School of Economics (formerly known as Department of Economics). He did M.Sc. Economics from Department and Economics in 1972-74. Thereafter he joined teaching profession and taught at various national and international universities including Quaid-i-Azam University, Applied Economics Research Centre, University of Massachusetts, North Eastern University and Boston University. He got a doctoral degree in Economics from Boston University. Later on in 1990 he joined World Bank as macroeconomist and worked primarily on macroeconomic and fiscal issues. In 2014, he retired from World Bank as Senior Economist. He had an excellent research profile, besides publishing articles in journals of international repute; he authored a large number of World Bank economic reports on Pakistan
Dr. Shamshad Akhtar is another notable alumna; she did M.Sc. Economics from Department of Economics, QAU in 1973-75. Thereafter she went to University of Sussex for M.A. in Development Economics. In 1980 she got a Ph.D. degree from Paisley College of Technology, UK. She had a vast working experience at various organizations including World Bank and Asian Development Bank. In January 2006 she took over as Governor, State Bank of Pakistan. Now she is an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and the tenth Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. She currently serves as the Coordinator of the five United Nations Regional Commissions.
Another promising alumnus of 1973-75 batch is Dr. Sohail Jehangir Malik. After completing M.Sc. he joined Pakistan Institute of Development Economics and served there for about 13 years. In 1985, he did Ph.D. in Econometrics from The University of New England, Australia. Later on in 1988 he joined International Food Policy Research Institute, (IFPRI) as Research Fellow and served there for about 7 years. He is former Incharge Poverty Cluster at The World Bank, Washington, DC. USA, At present he is Chairman, Innovative Development Strategies (Pvt) Ltd, Islamabad, Pakistan. It is worth mentioning that Dr. Sohail Jehangir Malik taught at Department of Economics, Quaid-i-Azam University as Adjunct Professor from 1987 to 1992.
Sarmad Khawaja is another graduate of 1973-75. He studied further in Moscow and at Harvard University, the latter as Fulbright scholar. He worked at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics in Islamabad from 1980 to 1989, and from 1990 to 1994 as Senior Researcher at the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague (ISS). He was visiting professor at the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in Bergen during summer 1991. During 1993-1994 he worked for the Institute of Social Studies Advisory Service of ISS as Social Accounting Matrix Expert at the Federal Bureau of Statistics in Islamabad and helped to compile the complete System of National Accounts statistics for Pakistan. From June 1994 to 2010 he worked at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, including as Adviser and IMF Resident Representative in Central Asian countries. Since 2012 he has built seven Zoya Science schools in South Punjab serving over 2000 underprivileged children. His goal is to upgrade all Zoya schools to science colleges for girls.
Dr. Mohammad Zubair Khan is another promising alumnus of 1973-75. He has a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in Political Economy. After working briefly for the World Bank, he worked at the International Monetary Fund from 1981 to 1992. Since returning to Pakistan, he has been consulting for the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNDP and other international organizations. He also lectures at the Central Banks of Egypt and Sri Lanka, National Institute of Public Administration campus at Lahore, Pakistan Administrative Staff College, and the National Defence College, in Islamabad. He has served as Commerce Minister of Pakistan and has represented Pakistan at the first ministerial conference of the WTO. Currently, in addition to consulting, Dr. Zubair Khan is Member National Finance Commission, Member Advisory Board Securities and Exchange Commission, Government of Pakistan, Member Board of Directors, Bank of Khyber, and Member Provincial Finance Commission, Govt. of NWFP.
Professor Dr. Tahir Hijazi is another promising graduate of 1973-75 session. Immediately after graduating from Quaid-i-Azam University he joined Cadet College as lecture and after a year he switched to Department of Economics, Gomal University and served there for about 5 years. In 1981 he left Gomal University and joined Ministry of Labor and Manpower, after four years he joined International Islamic University. In the meantime he did Ph.D. in Development Economics from Clark University Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. He served in International Islamic University till 1999, thereafter he Joined Mohammad Ali Jinnah University as Campus Incharge and Dean. After serving for 8 years, he once again joined International Islamic University as Dean with an additional charge of acting Vice President. In 2009 he joined COMSATS as a Tenured Professor. In 2010 he took over the charge of Vice Chancellor in Central University of Punjab.
Mr. Zahid Saeed was the student of 1973-75 session. He joined CSS are served at various key positions. He is former Joint Secretary at Cabinet Secretariat and Establishment Division. He also served as Head of the Pakistan Military Accounts Department, Ministry of Defense, Government of Pakistan.
Dr. Muhammad Khan Niazi is another notable student of 1973-75 session. He did Ph.D. in Economics from University of Boston in 1983. After M.Sc. he joined Government of Pakistan and served in ministries and at various key positions including Deputy Chief, Economic Planning Section, Planning and Development Division, Govt. of Pakistan. In 1992 he left ministry and joined World Bank where he served as Economist for several years. Now after retirement he is serving as Consultant Economist.
Dr. Hussain Malik was the student of 1974-76 session. After getting the degree of M.Sc. in Economics from Quaid-i-Azam University, he did M.A. (1978) and Ph.D. (1983) in Economics from McMaster University, Canada. He was at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad for a number of years. Later on he joined the World Bank office in Islamabad in 1989 and worked there as an economist for three years. In 1992, he switched to United Nations Economics and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) and retired in January 2015 after serving the organization for 23 years. His last position at the UN was Chief, Macroeconomic Policy and Analysis Section. After retirement, he has been visiting faculty at the Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics and National University of Science and Technology.
Professor Tayyeb Shabbir is another promising alumnus of the Department of Economics. He was the student of 1974-76 session. In 1987 he did Ph.D. Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He had a vast teaching and research experience. He started his carrier from Pennsylvania State University as Assistant Professor in 1984 and also served in University of Pennsylvania. In 1990 he came back to Pakistan as served as Chief of Research / Senior Research Economist in Pakistan Institute of Development Economics for four years. In 1994 he went back to University of Pennsylvania. From 2012 to July 2014 he worked as Director, Institute of Entrepreneurship College of Business and Public Policy Administration California State University. At present he is serving as tenured professor in California State University.
Professor Dr. Eatzaz Ahmad, alumnus of 1975-77 had a continuous association of 43 years with Quaid-i-Azam University. Immediately after completing M.Sc. he joined Department of Economics, QAU as lecturer. After few years of service at QAU he went to McMaster University from where he earned Ph.D. degree in 1988. He returned to QAU and resumed his duties at Department of Economics. In 1991 he left for Australia and joined University of New South Wales, and then he shifted to University of Newcastle. In 1995, he call was called back by the Vice Chancellor of QAU, to strengthen the Department of Economics. Therefore Dr. Eatzaz Ahmad came back to QAU in 1995 and served here till his superannuation in 2015. During his stay at QAU he served at various key positions including Chair, Department of Economics, Director, School of Economics, Director National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, Director National Institute of Pakistan Studies, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Vice Chancellor. After retirement he joined International Islamic University, Islamabad and then shifted to University of Peshawar on State Bank of Pakistan, Chair. At present he is serving at Foreman Christian College (a charter university) Lahore.
Dr. Nadeem A. Burney is another promising graduate of the Department of Economics, Quaid-i-Azam University. He was the student of 1975-77 session. Later on in 1985, he earned Ph.D. degree from John Hopkins. In 1979, he started his professional carrier from Pakistan Institute Development of Economics as Staff Economist and was promoted up to Chief of Research. In 1992 he joined Kuwait Institute for Science Research (KISR). At present he is Senior Research Scientist at KISR.
Professor Dr. Zafar Mahmood was the student of 1975-77 session. He did M. Phil and Ph. D. from Columbia University, New York in 1987 and 1989, respectively. Immediately after completing M.Sc. from Quaid-i-Azam University, he joined Punjab Economic Research Institute as Staff Economist, but very soon shifted to Pakistan Institute of Development Economics as Research Economist, after obtaining MA from Waterloo University, and severed there at various key positions. Later on he went to Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research as Senior Economist and served there for about 9 years. In 2008 he rejoined Pakistan Institute of Development Economics as HEC Foreign Professor. At present he is Professor of Economics at National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad. Dr. Zafar has nine books to his credit and has widely published in peer reviewed international and national journals. Currently, he is Managing Editor of NUST Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. He has been consultant to the World Bank, UNDP, ESCAP, International Development Center of Japan, Institute of Social Sciences, DRM/McGraw-Hill.
Mr. Tahir Ikram was another graduate of 1976-78. He works in the field of Automobile Industry. He started his career with Pakistan Automobile Corporation and later on left Pakistan to work in the Gulf. He stayed in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Dubai and returned back to Pakistan in 1995. Since then he is working as Group Head Operations at Ayenbee Group, Islamabad. The group is involved in the engineering and textile business with head office in Islamabad.
Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was the student of 1976-78 session. He holds Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from The Ohio State University, Columbus. Johns Hopkins University. He started his professional carrier from Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) in 1981 and served there for about 20 years. In 2001 he left PARC and joined Pakistan Institute of Development Economics as Research Economist. In 2008 he was promoted to Chief of Research. At present he is serving as Controller of Examinations
Prof. Toseef Azid is professor of Economics at College of Business and economics, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia and adjunct Professor at Tazkia University, Indonesia and University of Brunei Darussalam. He holds PhD (Economics) from University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK (1993), Master in Economics from Quaid-i-Azam University (1977-79). He received COT Scholarship from government of Pakistan to study at UCW, Overseas Research Scholarship from British government, and a Fulbright Award Scholar in Residence (2006) where he worked on a research project entitled “Economics of Middle Eastern Countries”, Los Angeles, California. He also served at Markfield Institute of Higher Education UK (2005-2006, 2007 and 2012). He taught in Pakistan, Brunei, UK, USA and Saudi Arabia. His research focuses on technological change, development Economics, labor economics, Islamic economics and Islamic finance. He published more than 60 papers in local and international journals. He participated in several conferences held in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bahrain, Qatar and Pakistan. He has published many books. Recently on of his is published by Routledge (Taylor and Francis Group, UK) entitled Labor in an Islamic Setting: Theory and Practice. He also served as International Research Professor at Wayne State University, Michigan, USA in 2017.
Professor Dr. Ather Maqsood Ahmed is another notable alumnus of the Department of Economics. He was student of 1977-79 session and did MA from University of Waterloo, Canada and PhD from Johns Hopkins University, USA. In 1979 he joined Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and served there till 2002. During this period he enjoyed sabbatical to join Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research for 2 years. In 1997 he rejoined Pakistan Institute of Development Economics as Chief of Research. Later on he joined the Federal Board of Revenue as member (Fiscal Research & Statistics) and served there for more than 6 years. Since then he is Professor and Head of Economics Department at National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad
Mr. Muhammad Najib is another alumnus of the Department of Economics, Quaid-i-Azam University. He was the student of 1977-79 session. Immediately after completing M.Sc. he joined National Fertilizer Corporation of Pakistan (NFCP) as Marketing officer. He served at various key positions in NFCP and took Golden Hand Shake in 2005. At present he is enjoying retired life and teaches in different institutions as visiting faculty.
Mr. Syed Saeed Mustafa is another graduate of 1978-80 session. After completing M.Sc. he was selected as Grade -III officer in Habib Bank Limited, but in the meantime he got a better opportunity with one grade up, in Federal Bank For Cooperatives, a subsidiary of State Bank of Pakistan Bank. He served there for about 20 years and rose up to the position of Deputy Director. Later on the bank was liquidated by State Bank of Pakistan, on the recommendations of Government of Pakistan and Syed Mustafa had to take Golden hand shake. Thereafter at the age of 45 years he joined Askari Bank and served there till his retirement in 2017.
Professor Ahmed Khalid was the student of 1978-80 batch. In 1993 he earned Ph.D. in economics from Johns Hopkins University, USA. He initially worked at the National University of Singapore and later on joined Bond University in 2001. Professor Khalid has worked as a consultant for the World Bank, Limberg Institute of Financial Economic (LIFE), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), CitiGroup, Haans Seidel Foundation and the UNDP and has held visiting positions at the Washing and Lee University, USA; Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; and Lahore University of Management Sciences, Pakistan. In 2011, he was invited as an advisor to the Ministry of Planning in Pakistan. Professor Khalid is currently Head of Department (Economics and statistics) at Bond University and holds various positions including Co-Director of the Globalisation and Development Centre at Bond University, member of the U.K. based International Growth Centre and Director of Quality Assurance Program for Sur University College in Oman.
Ambassador Muhammad Aslam Khan is another outstanding graduate of The Department of Economics, Quaid-i-Azam University. He was the student of 1978-80 session. Mr. Khan joined Foreign Service of Pakistan in September 1983, securing 8th position in the countrywide competitive examination for Central Superior Services held in 1982. He retired as Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the State of Kuwait in January 2016. During his distinguished career spanning 33 years, Mr. Khan held key positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan Missions abroad including; Additional Secretary (Americas) and Additional Secretary (Policy Planning & Public Diplomacy), Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Director General (OIC) and Director General (ECO &CAR), Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Minister/Deputy Chief of Mission in Embassy of Pakistan, Washington, D.C; Director (UN), Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Counsellor (Political and Economic Affairs), Embassy of Pakistan, Cairo; First Secretary (Political Affairs), Embassy of Pakistan, Tehran; Director (Afghanistan), Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Second Secretary, Pakistan Permanent Mission, Geneva; and Section Officer (Soviet Union), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Professor Dr. Aliya H. Khan is another prominent alumna of the Department of Economics, Quaid-i-Azam University. She was the student of 1978-80 session, later on she did Ph.D. in Economics from University of Illinois at Chicago. After Ph.D. she joined department of Economics, QAU as Assistant Professor. She had a long association of about four decades with QAU. She served at various key positions including Chair, Department of Economics, Director, School of Economics and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences at QAU. She retired in 2017. Professor Dr. Aliya H. Khan is a member of various governmental committees and has contributed extensively in policy and programmatic development on labour and employment issues with a special focus on labor force statistics and female labor force participation at various national, regional and international forums. She is a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the State Bank of Pakistan and a Board Member of State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan, Aurat Foundation and Institute of Rural Management.
Professor Dr. Rehana Siddiqui another brilliant alumna of the Department of Economics, Quaid-i-Azam University, she was enrolled in 1978-80 session. After M.Sc. she joined Pakistan Institute of Development Economics in 1981. Since then she is associated with the same institution. Therefore she had a long association of more than 36 years with Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). She started her carrier as Associate Staff Economist and held many key positions including Chief of Research and Joint Director. At present she is Professor of Economics and Chair of the Department of Environmental Economics at PIDE. Professor Dr. Rehana Siddiqui was a member of various governmental committees including Penal of Economists of Planning Commission and Task force on Climate Change. Her research interest includes energy issues, fundamentals of exchange rate determination, gender discrimination, and environmental concerns of Pakistan.
Dr. Muhammad Mazhar Iqbal is another notable alumnus of the Department of Economics, Quaid-i-Azam University. He was the student of 1978-80 session. He did M.Phil in Economics in 1989 from International Islamic University, Islamabad and Ph.D. in 1995 from University of Notre Dame Indiana USA. After M.Sc. he joined International Islamic University and served there for 16 years. Then he joined 3 institutions namely Pakistan Telecom Authority as consultant, Suleman Demeral University Almaty Kazakhstan, and International Islamic University Malaysia each for a year. After that he served Quaid-i-Azam University for 15 years and retired in 2017. Currently he is Professor at Capital University of Science and Technology.
Mr. Muhammad Farooq is another notable alumnus of the Department of Economics. He was student of 1978-80 session and did short/medium term foreign trainings from Japan, Malaysia, Philippine, Netherlands, USA and South Korea. In 1986, he joined Ministry of Planning Development and Reform as Research Officer. During his career he served at different positions and retired as Chief in December 2017. He is also a visiting speaker at different training institutes
Madam Parveen Akhtar is another alumna of the department. She was the student of 1978-80 batch. Madam started he carrier as Research Officer in Pak UNESCO Project “Higher Education and Employment Opportunities in Pakistan” jointly carried out by Ministry of Education and University Grants Commission. Later on in 1983 she joined Saudi Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company Limited. Initially she served is different department including Corporate Finance Division, Credit Administrative Division and Portfolio Management Division. At present she is serving as Executive Vice President/Head of Portfolio Management Division
Mr. Malik Muhammad Ashraf a well renowned Entrepreneur / Businessman of Rawalpindi was the student of 1978-80 batch. After M.Sc. he joined Ministry of Finance as Research Officer and served for two years, then he left Government job and started his own business. Now he is a well-known name in Auto industry of country. Mr Ashraf for his passion to serve the deserving people; co-founded the Nadir foundation in his native village Pachnand (Talagang). This foundation is working extensively in in the field of education and health since 2005. He believes that his Alma mater (QAU) had the most significant role in what he is today.
Mr. Nabeel Abdul Khaliq was the student of 1978-80 batch. He started his professional carrier in early 80’s by joining Planning Institute of Development Economics on Economic Development Initiatives. In 1983 he went abroad USA and served as Management Consultant & Advisor for about 7 years, after that he worked as UPS Financial Executive for 11 years. In 2002 he shifted to Dubai and served as Advisor to Dubai Government for several years. In 2010 he returned back to USA and since then working as Investment Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager. It is also worth mentioning that during his stay at Dubai, he taught several courses at University of Dubai. He was also on Entrepreneurship Boards of University of Dubai and Dubai Airport Free zone Authority.
Mr. Mohammad Shafi was the student in batch 1978-80. He did his MS in Economics from University of Manitoba, Canada in 1985. He started his professional career from Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan in 1982. He severed in different positions such as assistant director, deputy director and regional manager. In 2002 he quit his job as joint director and established his own business which he is running successfully to date.
Dr. Rashida Haq was the student of 1978-80 session. In 1997 she did MPhil and later on secured Ph.D. degree from Federal Urdu University of Art, Science and Technology, Islamabad. In 1982, she started her professional carrier from Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). Her field of research was ‘Poverty and Inequality. Her research was published in many national and international journals. She had also taught at PIDE and Fatima Jinnah Women University as visiting facality. She had also supervised many MSc thesis. She had completed her professional career as a Senior Research Economist from PIDE in 2016.
Professor Fazal Hussain was the student of 1979-81 batch. He is a committed professional with an experience of more than thirty years in research and teaching. He started his carrier at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) in January 1984. In 1996 he did Ph.D. in economics from The Cathalic University of America, USA. He proceeded to the State Bank of Pakistan in September 2004 on a Post-Doctoral fellowship to investigate the impact of economic reforms on the stock market in Pakistan. He also taught in Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science & technology and Institute of Business & Technology, Karachi. After a gap of about 3 years he rejoined PIDE in 2007. Since then he is serving in PIDE. At present he is serving as Dean-faculty of Social Sciences.
Clarification:Most of the information has been extracted from internet. We took complete care in compiling the information, still we expect some errors, for which we tender apology in advance. In case you find any typo or mistakes, then please inform us at midrees@qau.edu.pk. We will correct the same on our web page. Moreover information of some of our notable alumni is not available on the internet. Hence, we will be obliged if you kindly help us in adding and updating the same.