ISLAMABAD: President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Masato Kanda on Sunday expressed deep shock and grief over the passing of Dr Shamshad Akhtar, paying rich tribute to her distinguished career and lasting contributions to regional development and public service.
In a condolence message posted on X, Masato Kanda said he had met Dr Akhtar last month in Manila and was impressed by her insights and continued dedication to public service, describing her demise as a great loss for the development community.
He recalled that as former Director General at the Asian Development Bank, Dr Akhtar led with integrity, shaping key initiatives and laying a strong foundation for sustainable growth in the region, adding that her leadership at ADB continued to command widespread respect.
Beyond ADB, Masato Kanda said, Dr Akhtar broke barriers by becoming the first woman to serve as Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and later held key leadership roles as caretaker finance minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
Her work stood as a testament to her lifelong commitment to championing financial reforms, fostering economic resilience, and promoting regional integration, he added.
The ADB president said the loss of such a leader would be deeply felt across the institution and the broader development community, extending profound sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dr Akhtar’s family and all those whose lives she touched.
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