KARACHI: A memorial reference to Rafiq Akhund, founding member of the Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC), was held on Saturday at a local hotel where the hall saw a turnout exceeding its capacity, an indication of how Mr Akhund was widely respected for his contributions to Pakistan in several different capacities.

He had served as a secretary of finance and was associated with the provincial government of Sindh as additional chief secretary (planning and development). The service saw in attendance senior and junior officers of the federal and provincial government, academics, representatives of the business community, as well as civil society members, alongside staff of the SPDC, and Mr Akhund’s family members and close friends.

Mr Akhund also served on the board of the SPDC, which is a non-profit research think tank working on issues related to development, poverty, inequality, governance, social sector policies, climate, gender issues, and pro-poor macroeconomic policy.

Prof Dr Khalida Ghaus, managing director of the SPDC, spoke about her first meeting with Mr Akhund and shared his work ethic with all those present. From being available for meetings at all times and adopting a courteous demeanour in his dealings, Mr Akhund may have been a soft-spoken individual, but he was driven and principled, a fact all those who worked with him experienced from close quarters.

“The first time we met was for an interview but it did not come off as one. Instead it was more of a talk about institution building and research about what is happening. A humble man whose contributions can never be forgotten, Mr Akhund will always be cherished,” she said.

Former governor of Sindh Kamal Azfar said that a beacon of light exists amongst us in the shape of Mr Akhund’s grandson, Abdullah. He spoke about a custom in Sindh of how grandchildren carry forward the legacy of their grandparents and said that it was now up to the young Abdullah who must carry forth the torch.

“What a season Rafiq Akhund has had as an officer and a gentleman, and it is now up to Abdullah to celebrate the time he has spent with his grandfather, follow in his footsteps, and commemorate it with his own efforts for the betterment of Pakistan, especially in the war against poverty,” he said.

Former senator and federal minister for information Javed Jabbar, who is also the vice chairman of the SPDC, brought much-needed humour to an otherwise sombre occasion.

“This gathering is an acknowledgement of what we have lost, and of all that Rafiq Akhund exemplified. He served the government through very tumultuous times when there was never a dull moment in the country. He dealt with elected people who became despots and military leaders who possessed some democratic facets but were dictators. And yet he remained consistent and steadfast, which was a startling contrast to all the different changes around him.”

Mrs Akhund shared a more intimate and personal side to her late husband and recalled him as a benevolent family man. “A man of great vision and culture, I have been a witness to his integrity, hard work and his lack of tolerance for dishonesty,” she said.

Politician Syeda Abida Hussain, secretary of finance Sohail Rajput and additional chief secretary Ejaz Ali Khan also spoke at the memorial reference.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2016