Sartaj Aziz, the Pakistani economist and strategist, passed away on January 2, 2024. With a notable career, he served in several key roles, including deputy chairman of the Planning Commission of Pakistan, a member of the federal cabinet overseeing foreign affairs, a Federal Senator, and the National Security Advisor. Aziz actively participated in the Pakistan Movement during his student years and pursued studies in economics at Punjab University, later undertaking public administration studies at Harvard Kennedy School. His civil service tenure from 1952 to 1971 included various positions, notably as joint secretary in the planning commission. Post-1971, Aziz contributed to international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, where he played pivotal roles in commodities and policy planning.
In 1984, Aziz returned to Pakistan and assumed the role of a junior minister for Agriculture and Food Security until 1988 during the conservative Junejo administration. Following this, he secured election to the Senate of Pakistan in 1988 and was re-elected in 1993 under the center-right PML-N. Aziz served in both Sharif administrations, initially as the Minister of Finance from August 1990 to June 1993, and later as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from August 1998 until the 1999 coup d’état. He stands out as the sole cabinet member who opposed the decision to conduct nuclear tests in response to India, citing ‘economic reasons.’ Notably, during his tenure as the Finance Minister, Aziz gained recognition as a staunch advocate for economic liberalization.
Transitioning to academia in 2004, Aziz assumed the position of vice-chancellor at Beaconhouse National University and concurrently taught economics at the institution. In 2009, he authored “Between Dreams and Realities.” His academic tenure persisted until 2013, at which point he embarked on a new role in Nawaz Sharif’s third administration. Joining as an advisor responsible for the country’s foreign policy, Aziz also served as the National Security Advisor from 2013 to 2015.
Early life and education
Born in 1929 into a sayyid Kakakhel family in Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sartaj Aziz was an active participant in the Muslim League-led Pakistan movement during the 1940s. His education journey took him to Islamia College in Lahore, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics from Punjab University in 1949. Venturing into civil service in 1950, Aziz furthered his academic pursuits by earning a master’s degree in development economics from Harvard University in 1963 during a stint in the United States.
Upon his return, Aziz resumed government service, rising to the position of joint secretary in the Planning Commission of Pakistan in 1967. Subsequently, he contributed to international organizations such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization from 1971 to 1975 and the International Fund for Agricultural Development from 1978 to 1984.
It’s noteworthy that Ashar Aziz, a Pakistani-American electrical engineer, business executive, and former billionaire, is Sartaj Aziz’s maternal nephew.
Political Career
Economic Consequences and Political Shifts
In 1964, Sartaj Aziz assumed a pivotal role within the economic bureau of the Planning Commission. A critical meeting unfolded, featuring the Chairman of the Planning Commission, Economic Minister Muhammad Shoaib, Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and President Ayub Khan, aimed at assessing the economic implications of Operation Gibraltar against India. Despite Aziz’s reservations about the inconsistency between foreign policy and economic requirements, the operation was greenlit.
During this session, Bhutto managed to persuade the President and the Economic Minister that India would refrain from attacking Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir. Bhutto argued that Pakistan’s incursion into Indian-occupied Kashmir would not provide India with justification for a cross-border attack due to the region’s disputed status. Regrettably, this theory was proven incorrect when India initiated a full-scale war against West Pakistan in 1965.
The economic toll of the war with India proved steep for Pakistan as it incurred a loss of half a billion dollars, previously slated to come from the Consortium for Pakistan through the United States.The aftermath was particularly challenging for Ayub Khan, leading to his resignation from the presidency, relinquishing power to Army Commander General Yahya Khan in 1969. The subsequent crises deepened, culminating in the loss of East Pakistan six years later when Pakistan again attacked India. This further exacerbated the economic turmoil, compounded by the absence of assistance from the United States. Notably, during the 1971 conflicts with India, Sartaj Aziz held the position of Chief, International Economic Section, in the Planning Division of the Government of Pakistan.
Aziz's Opposition to Nationalization Policies Under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Despite not formally joining Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government, Sartaj Aziz exhibited a critical stance, particularly regarding the issue of nationalization. Aziz strongly criticized Bhutto’s approach of increasing government control over privatized mega-corporations. He argued that Bhutto’s nationalization policies failed to address the “mismatch” between economic reality and policy formulation, highlighting concerns about the effectiveness of such measures.
In 1984, Sartaj Aziz joined the Military Government of President Zia-ul-Haq as Minister of State for Food, Agriculture, and Cooperatives. He was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in 1985 and 1993 and served as a senator from Islamabad from 1988 to 1994. Affiliating with the Pakistan Muslim League (N), Aziz held key positions, including Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Affairs in the first Nawaz Sharif ministry from 1990 to 1993. In 1993, he was appointed as the Secretary-General of the party, marking a significant milestone in his political career.
Finance minister
After the 1997 parliamentary election, where the PML (N) secured a landslide victory, Sartaj Aziz was reappointed as the Treasury Minister by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In this capacity, he took charge of the Ministry of Treasury and persisted in advancing privatization policies. Aziz embraced the economic theory that emphasized aligning economic requirements with national strategy. His mandate included the task of strengthening the country’s economic system by prioritizing investment, privatization, and economic integration, all while considering their impact on national security.
Following India’s nuclear tests in May 1998 (Pokhran-II), Sartaj Aziz, then a senior minister in Pakistan’s government, expressed dismay and frustration. In preparation for a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Aziz developed economic proposals to address the situation. During the meeting, he was the sole minister advising against Pakistan conducting its own nuclear tests (Chagai-I and Chagai-II). Aziz voiced concerns about potential devastating consequences due to international sanctions amidst an economic recession and low foreign exchange reserves. Despite his counsel, Pakistan proceeded with the tests. In the face of economic sanctions, Aziz temporarily abandoned his theory of aligning economic requirements with national strategy. However, by 2001, he publicly supported the government’s decision to conduct the tests, deeming it the “right decision” at that time.
National Security and Foreign Adviser
In his capacity as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Aziz conducted a meeting with Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid to address the situation in the Line of Control (LoC). During his three-day official visit, Aziz also engaged in discussions with Hurriyat Conference and Kashmir leaders. In the early months of 2014, protests erupted in the Parliament led by PPP politicians over a perceived foreign policy shift concerning the civil war in Syria. The protests coincided with the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, sparking rumors about discussions on providing anti-aircraft and anti-tank rockets to rebels. Addressing the National Assembly, Aziz vehemently rejected these speculations, emphasizing that there was no change in Pakistan’s policy on Syria linked to the Saudi crown prince’s visit. Aziz asserted that Pakistan adheres to national and international laws in its agreements and arms sales.
Sartaj Aziz staunchly defended Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence policy, emphasizing its deterrent nature during a public address in the United States. Aziz clarified that Pakistan’s atomic program aims to maintain parity with India for self-defense, citing the potential avoidance of a major war after the 2002 parliament attack as an example. He highlighted the importance of nuclear capacity as insurance due to the widening gap in conventional capabilities.
Following the tragic Peshawar massacre in December 2014, Aziz visited Kabul and met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. During their discussions, Aziz emphasized the need for tighter “border control.” In subsequent talks, he conveyed that the military in Pakistan and security forces in Afghanistan had agreed to coordinate operations against terrorists along the Pak-Afghan border.
In October 2015, Sartaj Aziz resigned from his role as National Security Advisor, passing the position to retired army general Naseer Khan Janjua. This move aimed to enhance coordination between the civilian Foreign Ministry and the military regarding foreign policy matters, addressing the challenges posed by Aziz’s dual roles.
On December 9, 2015, Aziz organized the Heart of Asia conference in Islamabad and met with Indian Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj. He also accompanied Swaraj in a meeting with Prime Minister Sharif. In a Senate session in December 2015, Aziz articulated Pakistan’s stance on foreign intervention in the Syrian civil war, emphasizing opposition to any attempt to overthrow the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Deputy Chairman Planning Commission
Following the removal of Nawaz Sharif as prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, his successor, appointed Sartaj Aziz as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. Aziz, one of four political appointees from the previous PML-N government, aimed to enhance the commission’s functionality during his brief tenure. He remained in this role until May 31, 2018.
A Diplomat’s Pursuit of Peace and Academic LeadershipWhile serving as Foreign Minister, Sartaj Aziz actively worked towards fostering peace and harmony between Pakistan and India. His significant peace initiatives resulted in India declaring Pakistan as a Most Favored Nation (MFN) in 1996.
In addition to his diplomatic efforts, Aziz authored “Between Dreams and Realities: Some Milestones in Pakistan’s History,” a book published in 2009 by Oxford University Press.
However, Aziz faced challenges during the 1999 military coup d’état, which led to the ousting of his peers, including government ministers of Nawaz Sharif. Following this, in 2001, Aziz joined the Department of Social Sciences at Beaconhouse National University in Lahore, serving as a professor of economics. In 2009, he assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor at Beaconhouse National University.
Death
Aziz died on 2 January 2024 Islamabad, Pakistan, at the age of 94.