USEFP mourns the passing of Fulbright scholar Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, a distinguished leader in Pakistan’s economic and public service landscape.
Dr. Akhtar made history as the first woman to serve as governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and the first woman elected as chairperson of the Pakistan Stock Exchange Board. Her career was defined by principled leadership, institutional reform, and a steadfast commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s financial systems.
In 1986, Dr. Akhtar pursued her postdoctoral research at Harvard University on a Fulbright scholarship, where she deepened her engagement with public policy and governance – an experience that would inform her contributions to national and international economic institutions in the decades that followed.
Dr. Akhtar’s legacy as a trailblazer, public servant, and scholar will continue to inspire future generations, particularly women aspiring to leadership roles in Pakistan.
We extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends.
