Pakistan Today

Int’l economists shocked over Atif Mian’s removal by Pakistani govt

PakistanToday

Local and foreign economists shared their disbelief and shock over the Pakistani government’s decision to remove Atif R Mian from the Economic Advisory Council (EAC).

A number of famed academics belonging to some of the most prestigious universities across the world were disappointed at the PM Imran Khan-led cabinet for asking Mian to step down from the economic committee.

Economics Professor at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business Austan Goolsbee responded to the incident. “They drove @AtifRMian off their economic advisory council?! Are they nuts?” he asked on Twitter.

“An honourable action. The Pakistani government’s disinvite of Atif R Mian not only deprives it of top talent, it also reinforces religious bigotry,” said Dani Rodrik, an Economist at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Professor Edward Miguel of the University of California, Berkeley, said, “Atif is one of the world’s most talented economic thinkers – pushing him off the council is a major loss for the people of Pakistan.”

Luis Garicano, a Professor at the IE Business School, also shared his opinion, “Reading the reasons of the resignation (as Ahmedi, not the right kind of Muslim), it is even worse news for Pakistan than I thought.”

Professor Francesco Trebbi, a faculty member at the University of British Columbia, called Mian “honest and generous human being,” arguing that it is “a major loss for Pakistan”.

Meanwhile, University of California San Diego Professor Paul Neihaus, who was disappointed at another EAC member Asim Ijaz’s resignation, expressed “love and respect for Asim”.

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