- published: 22 Feb 2016
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Sartaj Aziz (Urdu: سرتاج عزيز; born February 7, 1929), PhD, is a world recognized Pakistani economist, peace and Pakistan Movement activist, serving as the 21st Treasure Minister in two non-consecutive terms from 1990 to 1993, and from 1997 until 1998. Aziz also served as the 21st Foreign Minister of Pakistan from 1998 until being removed as a result of military coup d'état against Prime minister Nawaz Sharif on October 12, 1999.
Educated and graduating from Punjab University of Pakistan and the Harvard University of United States, Aziz drove Pakistan's economy on free-market economics principles, capitalism, and privatization. In addition, he also advised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on foreign policy elements, while formulating financial policies for the Ministry of Finance and coordinating economic development through Economic Coordination Committee. Aziz took active part in Pakistan Movement as its leading activist during his college years, becoming a student member of the Muslim League. After returning to Pakistan from the United States, Aziz joined the leading bureaucratic department the Planning Commission as its joint-secretary in 1967, but left in 1970 after accepting a research position in UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and later joined the International Fund for Agricultural Development in 1978. In 1984, Aziz returned to Pakistan after being request by Ghulam Ishaq Khan, joining the military government of President General Zia-ul-Haq as state minister of Ministry of Agriculture, later became senator in Senate. In 1993, Aziz was appointed as the Treasure minister, advising Prime minister Nawaz Sharif on intensifying his policies on privatization, Denationalization, capitalism, and principles of Free-market economics. Aziz was removed from the ministry but later returned after wining the support during the 1997 parliamentary elections to continue his reforms and policies.