Pakistan’s Economy at a Crossroads: A Conversation with Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Finance Minister of Pakistan

On April 18, Foreign Policy at Brookings hosted Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, minister of finance of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, for a conversation on the economic future of his country. In the first visit to the United States by a senior official since Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari’s historic trip to India, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh discussed the state of his country’s economy and the steps taken by Pakistan to overcome the challenges among other issues crucial to the future of his country.

Dr. Shaikh is a noted economist with a doctorate from Boston University, having served for many years in the World Bank as a senior official. Currently a member of the Pakistan Senate and the Pakistan People’s Party, Dr. Shaikh has served as finance minister since 2010.

Brookings Senior Fellow Bruce Riedel provided introductory remarks, and Brookings Nonresident Senior Fellow Teresita C. Schaffer moderated the discussion.