Renowned economist Dr. Qaiser Bengali has recently resigned from three top government committees: the austerity committee, the right-sizing committee, and the committee to control government expenses.
In his resignation letter, addressed to Finance Minister M Aurangzeb and Cabinet Secretary Kamran Afzal, Dr. Bengali expressed deep concerns about Pakistan’s economic flight, predicting imminent disaster. He criticized the government for ignoring his recommendations and taking actions contrary to the committee’s goals.
Dr. Bengali highlighted that his suggestions, including the downsizing of top bureaucrats to save Rs30 billion, were overlooked in favor of targeting lower-level employees. He also opposed the closure of the Utility Stores Corporation, which the government proceeded with, leading to significant backlash.
Who is Dr. Qaiser Bengali?
Dr. Qaiser Bengali, commonly known as Kaiser Bengali, is a distinguished economist with over 40 years of experience in teaching, research, and policy advice. He holds a master’s in economics from Boston University and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Karachi.
Dr. Bengali has led significant institutions, including the Social Policy and Development Center (SPDC) in Karachi and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad. His career includes roles as Managing Director of SPDC, Chief Minister’s Policy Reform Unit head in Balochistan, advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh, and the first head of the Benazir Income Support Programme.
He has also been a representative of the National Finance Commission (NFC) and is an author and editor of numerous research publications and books. Dr. Bengali’s expertise spans macroeconomic policies, planning and development, social justice, and regional planning. He is also involved with several NGOs and educational foundations.
