Dr Salman Shah

Born in Lahore in October, 1950, Dr Salman Shah is former caretaker Finance Minister in the caretaker government of the Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro. He holds a PhD in Finance and Economics from Indiana University, Bloomington's Kelley School of Business. Dr Shah has also served as an advisor to the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on finance, economic affairs, statistics and revenues.

Dr Salman Shah was one of the most highly educated and competent members of Shaukat Aziz's team. During his time as in charge of Pakistan's finance ministry (2004–2008), Pakistan's economy registered an average of 7% GDP growth per annum, one of the highest in the world.

This period has been marked by Pakistan’s entry into the long term capital markets of the world and the placement of Pakistan on the radar screens of leading Global investment houses and also for the first time Pakistan had broken through all previous records of foreign investment and set economic performance benchmarks that will be difficult to beat.

Dr Shah has deep understanding of the Pakistan's economy gained through extensive interaction with International financial Institutions and governmental organizations on varied strategic assignments in Pakistan dealing with Public Policy, Financial Sector, Energy Sector, Industrial Sector, Agricultural and Fisheries sector, Trade and Commerce issues, Transport Sector and Banking Industry.

Prior to his appointment as Finance Minister of Pakistan, Dr Salman has served as Economic Consultant, to different Pakistani governments including the government of Nawaz Sharif. He has served as the Chairman of Privatization Commission during the tenure of caretaker government of Prime Minister Malik Meraj Khalid.

Dr Salman has served as Member Board of Governors, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Member Board of Directors, Pakistan International Airlines and Member Central Board of Directors, State Bank of Pakistan (2002–2003). He has also served as Member of the various other government task forces including member of the task force on investment by Abdul Hafeez Sheikh which gave recommendations to the Board of Investment to increase investments in the country. Dr Salman Shah headed the regional task forces of Karachi and Lahore regions for the Board Of Investment (BOI) under Hafeez Sheikh.

Dr Salman, who is the son-in-law of former Chief of Army Staff General Asif Nawaz, has also 16 years of teaching experience at institutions such as University of Michigan, Indiana University, University of Toronto, and Lahore University of Management Sciences. He has published papers in Journals of international repute including the Journal of Economic Theory, USA and Journal of Finance, USA.

Dr Salman Shah is married with five children.