Dr Akhtar's track record showcases her adroitness in
handling intricate economic scenarios, demonstrated notably during the 2008
global financial crisis when she served as Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
Governor, and again in 2018 during her tenure as the Caretaker Finance
Minister.
As the Under-Secretary General of the Economic and Social
Commission of the Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP) and the United Nations Secretary
General’s Senior Special Advisor on Economics and Finance, Dr Akhtar oversaw
the implementation of the sustainable development agenda including economic,
social, and environmental and finance work of the UN Department of the Economic
and Social Affairs.
During her term at UN, she was UN Secretary General’s Sherpa
for Development and the Finance and Central Bank tracks. Among others, she was
closely involved in the development and implementation of the 2030 Sustainable
Development Agenda (SDG), the Addis Ababa Financing frameworks and work on the
Paris Climate Accord and ensured closer alignment of G20 development agenda
with the 2030 SDG agenda.
Dr Akhtar served as the Vice President, Middle East and
North Africa at the World Bank, the Director General of Asian Development Bank
(ADB) and served as the Special Senior Advisor to the President of ADB.
Dr Akhtar is recipient of Asia’s Best Central Bank Governor
from Emerging Markets and the Banker’s Trust awards. In 2008, The Wall Street
Journal Asia recognized her as one of Asia’s top ten professional women. Recently
in 2020, she has been awarded the HUM Women’s Leadership Global Award.
Dr Akhtar in now serving as the Chairperson of few Boards in
Pakistan: Chairperson of the Pakistan of Stock Exchange, Chairperson on the
Board of Sui Sothern Gas Transmission and Distribution company, Chairperson of
the Karandaaz – an innovative nonprofit company—grant funded by DFID/Bill
Melinda to promote financial and digital inclusion, Chairperson, Pakistan
Institute of Corporate Governance and as Independent Director, Engro Fertilizer
Company and Advisor on Pakistan Environment Trust Fund.
Dr Akhtar is Member of the Advisory Council of the
Sustainable Finance Centre at the SOAS at London University, Member of UN
Global Women Leaders Group, served on G20 Task Force member of the Think Tank
on Infrastructure during the Presidency of Japan, Saudi and Italian Government.
She served as an Advisor of SG Food Security and Financing
for Development Group, one of the 12 Global Advisors to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs on China on Belt and Road, Council of Advisor and Policy Sherpa for the
Boao Forum for Asia and Advisor to the Shanghai Forum.
She has conducted analytical work as Chair of the Pakistan
Reform Insurance Committee, Capital Markets reforms and the Special Economic
Zones etc. She serve as speaker on diverse set of international and national
panel.
