ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a reference on Friday paid tributes to Dr Tariq Siddiqui, former vice chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU).

Dr Siddiqui’s friends and colleagues attended the ceremony held at the QAU and recalled his exceptional contributions as an eminent scholar, bureaucrat and educator.

Dr Siddiqui, who passed away recently, also served as the vice chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University.

Earlier, he occupied a number of senior government positions, including director general Civil Services Academy and federal secretary Cabinet Division.

Addressing the event, Dr Ishrat Husain, special adviser to the prime minister, highlighted his outstanding career.

“He never bowed to mounting political pressures and I am proud what I have learned from Dr Siddiqui. We should remember people who served institutions and the nation with honor, integrity and upheld the values and rules.” said Dr Husain.

He urged the youth to follow the footprints of such a man of character.

Sartaj Aziz, former finance minister, said Dr Siddiqui was an iconic figure and a combination of a modest personality and high intellectual capacity.

Remembering his interaction with Dr Siddiqui at the Planning Commission, Dr Pervez Tahir said Dr Siddiqui was a patient, courteous and cultivated person.

“We were pleasantly surprised that he was a PhD in economics from Syracuse University. He understood why some policies, projects, programmes and plans had no chance to be implemented despite being based on sound economics,” he added.

Dr Tariq Banuri, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC), said Dr Siddiqui was truly a compassionate person and most inspiring teacher he ever came across.

He had all the qualities a teacher must have, including the command on the subject, communication skills and a role model for the students.

Prof Dr Mohammad Ali, Vice Chancellor QAU, Shoaib Sultan Khan, Chairman Rural Support Programme Network, Ejaz Qureshi, former chief secretary and Dr Sayed Wiqar Ali Shah, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences QAU, highlighted Dr Siddiqui’s services for the nation.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2019