Ishaq Dar declared 'Finance Minister of the year 2016 for South Asia'

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: A financial publication ‘Emerging Markets’ has declared Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar as “Finance Minister of the year 2016 for South Asia”, ARY News reported.

Dar has been declared the best finace minister for South Asian region for the year 2016 and Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani, will receive the award on his behalf later tonight in Washington.

“The award is a recognition of Pakistan’s economic performance at the IMF / World Bank Annual Meeting which is one of the major gatherings of international financial and economic leaders and experts,” says a press release issued by the federal government.

Since Finance Minister had to cancel his visit to Washington for the Annual Meeting due to situation on the Line of Control, the All-Parties Conference and Joint Session of the Parliament on Kashmir situation, he was not able to receive the award himslef.

ABOUT ISHAQ DAR

Serving as a current finance minister of the country, the PML-N stalwart been a Parliamentarian in the last 20 years, currently serving fifth term as Member Parliament.

He was elected Member National Assembly twice (1993-96 and 1997-99), and, subsequently, for three consecutive terms, he has been elected Senator and appointed as Parliamentary Leader of PML (N) in the Senate. His current term as Senator expires in March 2018.

He held first public office (1992 -1993) as Minister of State/Chief Executive of Pakistan Investment Board (PIB). He served as Federal Minister for Commerce & Investment (1997-1999).

Emerging Markets, d newspaper of the #IMF / #WB Annual Meeting, has declared FM, #Dar as:“Finance Minister of the year 2016 for South Asia”

— FinanceMinPkOfficial (@FinMinistryPak) October 8, 2016

Earlier, he served twice as Federal Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Revenue and Statistics (1998-99 and 2008).

Senator Dar Served as Convener (Punjab Government’s Committee), National Finance Commission (NFC). He is also Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms, which finalized 18th, 19th and 20th Constitutional Amendments.

He had renowned institutions among his alma maters, including Government College (now Government College University), Lahore, and Hailey College of Commerce, University of Punjab, Lahore (1966-69).

He was awarded two Gold Medals and a Roll of Honour for First position in B. Com. (Hons) at the University of Punjab.

Making a career start as a Trainee Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in 1970, he became an Associate Member (ACA) of ICAEW in 1974, and of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) in 1975.

His post-qualification professional experience earned him Fellowship (FCA) of ICAEW in 1980 and of ICAP in 1984. Subsequently, he also became a Fellow Member (F.P.A) of the Institute of Public Finance Accountants of Pakistan. Currently, Senator Dar has been bestowed Life Membership of ICAEW in January 2012.

After having worked as Director Finance of a British Textiles Group in London during 1974-76, Senator Dar accepted an offer in 1976 of the Government of Libya, and joined as Senior Auditor in the Auditor General Department at Tripoli.

On returning to Pakistan in December 1977, he became National Partner in a Chartered Accountants firm, having offices at Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, dealing with Tax, Corporate and Financial Management, Audit and Consultancy matters of the clients, including public sector and public-listed companies. In 1980, he became Financial Advisor to a multinational construction company having operations in Pakistan, Libya, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

He is a former President of Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry and former Vice-President/Council Member of ICAP.