Shamshad Akhtar

Shamshad Akhtar (; 1954 – 27 December 2025) was a Pakistani development economist, United Nations diplomat, banker and politician who served as the caretaker finance minister of Pakistan from 2023 to 2024 as well as from 5 June 2018 to 18 August 2018.

Prior to that, she served as the 14th Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, the first woman to assume this position. She also served as a senior adviser to the then Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon and as Vice-President of the World Bank.

In 2005, she moved back to Pakistan to serve as the 14th Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, a position she retained until January 2009.

In December 2013, Akhtar was appointed the 10th Executive Secretary of UNESCAP in Bangkok.

In 2023, Akhtar was appointed caretaker finance minister of Pakistan in the Kakar caretaker government.

Wealth According to Election Commission of Pakistan, prior to assuming her role as caretaker finance minister in 2023, Akhtar declared her net worth to be . Among the mentioned assets are in Naya Pakistan Certificates, in Pakistani treasury bills, shares of Pakistan State Oil worth Rs. 0.3 million, and residential plots in DHA. Akhtar also had more than deposited in different banks.

Death Akhtar died on 27 December 2025 from a cardiac arrest at the age of 71.

Awards and honours On 23 October 2007, Akhtar was conferred Best Central Bank Governor for Asia 2007 by the Euromoney Institutional Investor. On 23 March 2024, Akhtar was honored with the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in recognition of her service in the public sector.