Dr Shamshad Akhtar was born 1954 in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. She is a Pakistani development economist, United Nations diplomat, and banker, currently holds the position of caretaker Finance Minister of Pakistan, beginning her term on August 17, 2023. She previously held this role from June 5, 2018, to August 18, 2018. Before her current role, she was the 14th Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, making her the first woman to assume that position. She also took on responsibilities as a senior adviser to the then Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, and served as Vice-President of the World Bank.
In December 2013, Shamshad Akhtar was chosen by the UN Secretary-General to be the Under-Secretary-General and 10th Chief Secretary of the Monetary and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Since August 17, 2023, she has been fulfilling the role of caretaker Federal Minister of Finance.
Dr Shamshad Akhtar Passed Away
Dr Shamshad Akhtar passed away on Saturday, 27 December 2025 at 71 years of age due to cardiac arrest. She died in Karachi after suffering heart attack, while serving as chairperson of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) at the time of her passing.
Dr Shamshad Akhtar Death Reason
Dr Shamshad Akhtar death reason was cardiac arrest, which is a confirmed update as reported by media. Her passing is a tragic news created a buzz and condolences from Pakistan’s top leadership and financial institutions, who recognized her contributions to economic policy and public service.
Dr Shamshad Akhtar Age
Dr Shamshad Akhtar age was 71 years old when she died. She was widely respected for her long career in economics, both within Pakistan and abroad, including positions with the State Bank of Pakistan, World Bank, and United Nations ESCAP.
Dr Shamshad Akhtar Husband
Dr Shamshad Akhtar husband name is not known. Her professional life and achievements in economics and public service are well documented, but her private family life has not been publicly disclosed in mainstream news coverage.
Shamshad Akhtar Education Shamshad Akhtar Born in Hyderabad, she received her early education in Karachi and Islamabad. She achieved an outstanding academic history, obtaining a B.A. in Economics from the University of Punjab in 1974. Dr. Shamshad Akhtar holds an M.Sc. in Economics from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, and earned an M.A. in Development Economics from the University of Sussex in 1977. In 1980, she completed her Ph.D. in Economics from Paisley College of Technology in the U.K. Dr Shamshad Akhtar was honored as a Fulbright Scholar for post-doctoral fellowship and served as a visiting fellow at Harvard University's Department of Economics in 1987.