ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday that it was his country’s top priority to strengthen its relations with the Kingdom, reported Radio Pakistan on Thursday.
According to an official handout circulated by the Prime Minister House, Khan offered his sincere condolences to the Saudi crown prince on the sad demise of Prince Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud on telephone.
The eldest surviving son of the founder of Saudi Arabia, Prince Bandar’s funeral prayer was attended by thousands of people in Makkah’s Grand Mosque on Monday.
The prime minister also conveyed his gratitude to the crown prince for the Kingdom’s strong political and economic support to Pakistan.
The two leaders reaffirmed the closeness of the Pak-Saudi ties and reiterated their shared resolve to forge a stronger partnership covering all aspects of bilateral relations between their countries.
They also agreed to maintain close consultations on all issues of mutual interest.
The crown prince also invited the prime minister to visit Saudi Arabia after his visit to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly session.
Developing relations with Saudi Arabia Pakistan’s top priority, says PM Khan
Developing relations with Saudi Arabia Pakistan’s top priority, says PM Khan
- The crown prince invites the prime minister to visit Saudi Arabia
- Khan thanks the Kingdom for its strong political and economic support to his country
Pakistan’s first female central bank governor dies at 71
- Shamshad Akhtar led the State Bank of Pakistan from 2006 to 2009 and later served twice as caretaker finance minister
- Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb describes Akhtar as an accomplished economist and an outstanding human being
KARACHI: Shamshad Akhtar, Pakistan’s first woman to serve as governor of the central bank and one of the country’s most internationally experienced economic policymakers, died at the age of 71, officials said on Saturday.
Akhtar led the State Bank of Pakistan from 2006 to 2009, becoming the first and only woman to lead the institution since its establishment in 1948. She later served twice as caretaker finance minister, overseeing fiscal management during transitional governments ahead of the 2018 and 2024 general elections.
According to local media reports, Akhtar died of cardiac arrest.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over her passing in a statement.
“The president paid tribute to her services in the field of economics and financial management, noting her contribution to strengthening economic governance in the country,” the presidency said, adding that he extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb described Akhtar as a highly accomplished economist and an outstanding human being.
“Dr. Shamshad Akhtar was a dignified, principled and wise voice in Pakistan’s economic history,” he said.
He said she served Pakistan with integrity and dedication across several senior economic roles, adding that her national service would always be remembered with respect.
At the time of her death, Akhtar was serving as chairperson of the Pakistan Stock Exchange, a role that placed her at the intersection of Pakistan’s monetary policy, fiscal management and capital markets.
Beyond Pakistan, she held senior positions at major international institutions, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
Born in Hyderabad, she was educated in Karachi and Islamabad and held advanced degrees in economics from institutions in Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
Akhtar was widely regarded as a technocrat known for institutional discipline, policy continuity and a strong commitment to economic reform.
With input from Reuters
