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Unravelling Gordian Knots
Unravelling Gordian Knots explores the life and times of Dr. Ishrat Husain, from his earliest days in a refugee camp in newly made Pakistan to his impactful tenures in the civil services, World Bank, State Bank of Pakistan, academia and institutional reform. A sweeping story, the biography touches upon the key moments in Pakistan’s history as told through the eyes of Dr. Ishrat Husain who served as Governor of State Bank and also other notables drawn from Pakistan’s politics and industry and the institutions Dr. Ishrat Husain has contributed to. As a high-ranking civil servant Dr. Ishrat Husain is an eyewitness to such epochal episodes as the separation East Pakistan and while at the World Bank he saw firsthand the economic struggles of African nations and countries formerly in the Soviet Union. Later he led Pakistan’s economic recovery in the 2000s and for past two decades has been involved in reform of the country’s public and private institutions. A savant and celebrated economist, Dr. Ishrat Husain has left his mark on several institutions. Currently Dr. Ishrat Husain is the Minister for Institutional Reform and as Pakistan strives to improve its public institutions and reform its bureaucracy, his timely biography is a must read for policy makers, educationists, economists, corporate managers and anyone interested in learning about a lifetime of service.
480 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 24, 2022
Spinning dry straw into gold. When I read Nigel Hamilton's biography of Bill Clinton I was amazed to find myself drinking down a 800 page book with such rapt amusement. However, Sibtain Naqvi's debut work on Dr. Ishrat Hussain nearly takes me on a similar journey.
Ishrat Hussain, is the economist that keeps on giving. His sincerity towards being the man of action in the midst of developing economies is praiseworthy. His stints as growth facilitator of wealth in the Africas, Central Asian regions and Pakistan for those marginalised is a cause that consumed his life.
Dr. Ishrat's tale is such, a reminder that hero's rise not on the wave of power, wealth or even in the adulation of others. Their legacy is written the day they set their intentions from the goodness of their heart.
Economists, are not as famed as lawyers, popular leaders and even astronauts. In the web of things they wield a lot of power and once in a while even in them rises a great one who sets examples of doing good without claiming too much for themselves.
This book is a shining guide for students and leaders alike who seek to be reformers and the vigorous pen of Sibtain will leave you inspired!
Ishrat Hussain, is the economist that keeps on giving. His sincerity towards being the man of action in the midst of developing economies is praiseworthy. His stints as growth facilitator of wealth in the Africas, Central Asian regions and Pakistan for those marginalised is a cause that consumed his life.
Dr. Ishrat's tale is such, a reminder that hero's rise not on the wave of power, wealth or even in the adulation of others. Their legacy is written the day they set their intentions from the goodness of their heart.
Economists, are not as famed as lawyers, popular leaders and even astronauts. In the web of things they wield a lot of power and once in a while even in them rises a great one who sets examples of doing good without claiming too much for themselves.
This book is a shining guide for students and leaders alike who seek to be reformers and the vigorous pen of Sibtain will leave you inspired!
March 17, 2024
Book Review
A boy, descending from Agra, unaware of his surroundings, found himself in the refugee camps of Karachi after independence riots. The upbringing of the family had left an indelible mark on his personality. In pursuit of fulfilling his father's dream for him to become a doctor, he ended up becoming a chemist. His curiosity about chemistry led him to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. However, God has some other plans so his energies were channelised in multifaceted careers. He came back with Masters Degree from Vancouver and by the time he landed back he realised the need to be in the power corridors so he decided to appear for the civil services but he was not eligible due to underage. Consequently, his services were sought by the department of chemistry at the University of Sindh. Eventually, he appeared and topped Sindh in the Civil Services Examination. Astonishingly during the training at the academy he got a gold medal and topped the subjects of policy development and economics. His urge to know more about economics developed during the training days. After joining service he served as Assistant Commissioner Shikarpur and served in different areas of East Pakistan where he got to know the reasons behind poverty and bad governance. Further, he felt the need to study development economics so he applied at Williams college Massachusetts and got a masters degree in economics. This transition proved pivotal as he joined the ministry of finance planning commission after this degree and applied theoretical knowledge in the field and researched on the topic of unequal income distribution. Applied in Boston University for PHD and his area of research attracted the world bank and got an opportunity to work as Junior economist on deputation. His deep interest in developmental economics paved his way to be the Director at the World Bank. Dr Ishrat Hussain served in the different capacities at the Bank. The World Bank has a hierarchy; one can't break through easily. But Dr. Ishrat did become Chief Economist fairly quickly and he retired as Director World Bank. His services were sought by then Army Chief and President Musharraf and he joined as the Governor State Bank of Pakistan and proved his mettle as a most successful Governor and Central Banker of this country.
A boy, descending from Agra, unaware of his surroundings, found himself in the refugee camps of Karachi after independence riots. The upbringing of the family had left an indelible mark on his personality. In pursuit of fulfilling his father's dream for him to become a doctor, he ended up becoming a chemist. His curiosity about chemistry led him to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. However, God has some other plans so his energies were channelised in multifaceted careers. He came back with Masters Degree from Vancouver and by the time he landed back he realised the need to be in the power corridors so he decided to appear for the civil services but he was not eligible due to underage. Consequently, his services were sought by the department of chemistry at the University of Sindh. Eventually, he appeared and topped Sindh in the Civil Services Examination. Astonishingly during the training at the academy he got a gold medal and topped the subjects of policy development and economics. His urge to know more about economics developed during the training days. After joining service he served as Assistant Commissioner Shikarpur and served in different areas of East Pakistan where he got to know the reasons behind poverty and bad governance. Further, he felt the need to study development economics so he applied at Williams college Massachusetts and got a masters degree in economics. This transition proved pivotal as he joined the ministry of finance planning commission after this degree and applied theoretical knowledge in the field and researched on the topic of unequal income distribution. Applied in Boston University for PHD and his area of research attracted the world bank and got an opportunity to work as Junior economist on deputation. His deep interest in developmental economics paved his way to be the Director at the World Bank. Dr Ishrat Hussain served in the different capacities at the Bank. The World Bank has a hierarchy; one can't break through easily. But Dr. Ishrat did become Chief Economist fairly quickly and he retired as Director World Bank. His services were sought by then Army Chief and President Musharraf and he joined as the Governor State Bank of Pakistan and proved his mettle as a most successful Governor and Central Banker of this country.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews