ISLAMABAD: Experts from various fields including economics, politics, journalism, foreign policy and the development sector lauded the successes and achievements of Sartaj Aziz as a living legend.

A seminar titled ‘A Tribute to a Living Legend: Celebrating Life and Work of Mr Sartaj Aziz’ was hosted on Monday by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), where Mr Aziz also received a lifetime achievement award.

Addressing on the occasion, Sartaj Aziz said that it was an emotional occasion of his life. He said he had both successes and disappointments to share but added that the real secret of his successes was a sense of commitment to certain ideals.

“The guiding principle of my career was a search for vision which helps me to look beyond routine parameters,” he said.

While sharing the disappointments, Mr Aziz said that owing to recurrent political instability, Pakistan failed to achieve the dream of the fastest growing economy of South Asia.

He said: “It was our collective failure to build a strong and stable democracy, which resulted in the loss of East Pakistan. Pakistan can survive as a dynamic and viable political entity only through a genuine democratic framework based on strong institutions and the rule of law.”

He suggested that to meet institutional challenges, Pakistan has to strictly follow the merit criteria, stop political interference, giving due importance to professionals and people need to work with passion for Pakistan and not for money.

SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Suleri said living nations honoured the creative geniuses living among them. He said Pakistan should also celebrate its greats and consider it a source of optimism.

Speakers at the seminar also highlighted the lifetime performance of Mr Aziz.

Adviser to Prime Minister for Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr Ishrat Hussain said that it was a usual attitude that legends were admired after their demise, but SDPI’s effort to honor living legends in their lives was commendable.

Others who spoke on the occasion included former finance minister Dr Hafeez A. Pasha, Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN) Chairman Shoaib Sultan Khan, former ambassador to the United States Jallil Abbas Jilani, BISP Chairperson Dr Sania Nishter, former World Bank vice president Shahid Javed Burki, PML-N MNA Khurram Dastgir and former PPP senator Farhatullah Babar.

Former Punjab governor Dr Shahid Hamid said Sartaj Aziz’ contributions to the development of this nation were matchless.

He highlighted the economic reforms programmes, social action programme, National Rural Support Programme, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and National Finance Commission Award 1991 as some of his achievements.

Mr Babar said that Mr Aziz was one of among few parliamentarians who demonstrated respect for the parliament, adding that he never lied to or misled parliament.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2018