Sartaj Aziz

Sartaj Aziz (born 1929 ) (Urdu: سرتاج عزیز) was as a civil servant in Pakistan, mostly in the Planning Commission where he was joint secretary (1967-71), before starting his UN career in 1971 as FAO’s director of commodities and trade. In 1977, he became assistant president of IFAD, the agency that he helped create as deputy secretary-general of the 1974 World Food Conference. In 1984, he began a political career, including minister of state for food and agriculture (1984-88), finance (1990-93 and 1997-98), and foreign affairs (1998-99). He was also secretary general of the Pakistan Muslim League (1993-99). A native of Pakistan, he was educated at Islamia College Lahore, Hailey College of Commerce, University of the Punjab, Lahore and Harvard University. He is vice-chancellor of Beaconhouse National University in Lahore, and his publications include Rural Development-Learning from China; Hunger, Politics and Markets; and Agricultural Policies for the 1990s.

Mr. Sartaj Aziz, a recognised development economist, hails from the spiritual Kakakhel family of NWFP. He was born on 7th February, 1929 and obtained a Degree in Commerce from the Punjab University in 1949. In 1962, he proceeded to Harvard University (USA) where he earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration (Economic Development). He also got training and acquired expertise in development planning and management sciences.

He joined Government service in 1950, held various posts and rose to the level of a Joint Secretary in the Planning Commission in 1967. He was one of the principal contributors to the Third and Fourth Five-Year Plans of Pakistan.

Mr. Sartaj Aziz started his international career in 1971 in Rome, Italy and held important positions in the United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation (1971-75), World Food Council (1975-77) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (1978-84). He participated in a number of international conferences and was an active participant in the North-South dialogue and South-South Cooperation.

Mr. Sartaj Aziz started his political career in April 1984 when he returned to Pakistan and joined the Federal Cabinet as Minister of State for Food, Agriculture and Cooperatives. He was elected as a Senator from NWFP in 1985 and returned again to the Senate of Pakistan from the Federal Capital Territory in March 1988 for a six-year term. He was again elected as a Member of the Senate from the NWFP Province in March 1994 for another six-year term.

Mr. Sartaj Aziz was appointed as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister in October 1985, Minister of State for Food and Agriculture in January 1986, and Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Rural Development in June 1988. He served as Federal Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Affairs from August 1990 to July 1993.

In July 1993, Mr. Sartaj Aziz was appointed as Secretary General of Pakistan Muslim League (N).

Mr. Sartaj Aziz is holder of the Sanad, Muiahid-e-Pakistan by virtue of his participation in the Pakistan Movement. He was awarded Tamgha-e-Pakistan and Sitara-e-khidmat in 1959 and 1967 respectively for his contribution to planning and development in the country.

Senator Sartaj Aziz was Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Northern Affairs and a member of the Senate Standing Committees on Finance and Economic Affairs, Food and Agriculture.

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External links

* [http://www.senate.gov.pk/ShowMemberDetail.asp?MemberCode=252&CatCode=0&CatName= http://www.senate.gov.pk/]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcumCG6mXnQ Video of Speech to National Assembly in 2002]