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Dr. Athar Maqsood Ahmed
Professor
Economics

S3H
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
School of Social Science and Humanities (S3H) H-12 Sector, Islamabad
Tel : 90853550
Email : ather.ahmed@s3h.nust.edu.pk

Specialization
Macroeconomics, Public Finance, Applied Econometrics

Education
Ph.D (Economics), The Johns Hopkins University, USA

​​Dr. Ather Maqsood Ahmed is one of Pakistan’s eminent economists. He is the founder of renowned Department of Economics at National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). Dr. Ahmed received his education from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad (MSc Economics), University of Waterloo, Canada (MA Economics) and Johns Hopkins University, USA (PhD Economics). Prior to joining NUST, Professor Ahmed testified before the Standing Committees of Senate of Pakistan and National Assembly, and held extensive deliberations with representatives of international donor agencies on matters of interest for Government of Pakistan. He also served as researcher at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). His research spans over diversified areas such as Macro econometric Models, Macro and Monetary Economics, Public Finance, and Economic Demography. His extensive research has been published in the shape of various books, national and international journal articles, and research reports. He has supervised a large number of PhD and MPhil/MS dissertations. Currently, Dr. Ahmed holds the position of Professor and Head, Department of Economics at NUST. He is an HEC approved supervisor. In his free time he likes spending time with his family and gardening is his favorite leisure time activity. 

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​More than 35 years of Research and Teaching experience in the fields of Macroeconomics, Public Policy Issues, Applied Econometrics (Macro-econometric Modeling), and Economic Demography.

Papers presented at National and International Conferences/

Workshops/ Seminars:

1.     31st Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists, PIDE 17-19 December, 2015

2.     Federal Taxation: Opportunities and Risks “Pre-Budget Seminar” organized by PIDE-FES, April, 2015

3.     30th A Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists, PIDE 2-4 December, 2014

4.     “Tapping Potential Sectors of Growth” National Conference Islamabad Policy Research Institute, October, 2014.

5.     “Fiscal Research Topics & Tax Policy Formulation” Lead trainer at the Two day training workshop organized by Federal Board of Revenue, Govt. of Pakistan (2013)

6.     “Monetary Policy and the Economy: The MP-FP Chase is on” SAARC SEMINAR organized by the State Bank of Pakistan (2012)

7.     “Resource Mobilization and Fund Raising” Lecture delivered at the Workshop organized by HEC (2011)

8.      Constraints and Challenges in Effective Resource Generation. Paper presented at the Conference on “Revival of Economic Growth” (2011) held at the Prime Minister Secretariat organized by the Ministry of Finance

9.     Seminar on “Pre Budget Seminar” (2011) Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad

10.  “Does Gender Differential in Education and Employment Influence Economic Growth of Pakistan?” with Gohar Fatima (2011) Paper presented at 12th Annual Population Research Conference Organized by Population Association of Pakistan.

11.  Twenty Five Years of Tax Reforms in Pakistan (2009) Paper presented at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics at its Fiscal Policy Seminar Series.

12.  How effective is Fiscal Management in Pakistan? (2009) Paper presented at National College of Management, Lahore.

13.  Competition Law and Policy: Cross Country Approaches and Experiences (2000) jointly sponsored by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore and World Bank Institute.

14.  Supply, Demand, and Pakistan’s Future Food Grain Deficit (1995).  Paper presented at the Final Planning Workshop on Projections and Policy Implications of Medium and Long Term Rice Supply and Demand.  Beijing, PR of China (Co-author).

15.  A 2020 Vision of Food self-sufficiency in Pakistan (1995).  Paper presented in Regional Workshop held in Katmandu, Nepal on A 2020 Vision of International Food Requirement, sponsored by International Food Policy Research Institute.

An Introduction to Revised Macro-econometric Model of Pakistan’s Economy: Structural Analysis, Forecasting and policy Evaluation. (1986). Paper presented at the meeting of the Project LINK held at the United Nations, New York

Project/Technical Reports (unpublished):

1.     Regional Trade Liberalization under SAFTA (2014) Study completed for the Asian Development Bank, Manila.

 

2.     Country Report Pakistan: A Road Map for South Asian Union (2012) Report completed for the Asian Development Bank, Manila.

 

3.     Tax Expenditure in Pakistan (2012) Report completed in collaboration with Robina A. Ahmed for the World Bank, Islamabad.

 

4.     Public Expenditure and Resource Generation for Pakistan’s Transport Sector (2000). Project Completed for the World Bank, Islamabad. (Principal Investigator and Co-author).

5.     Non-Formal Schooling for the Soccer ball Industry Children in Sialkot: An Evaluation (1999).  Study completed for the International Labor Organization (ILO), Islamabad.  (Principal Investigator).

6.     The Macroeconometric Model of Kuwait – II (1997).  Project sponsored by Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Final Report KISR 5054, Kuwait. (Project Leader and Co-author).

7.     Measurement and Assessment of Direct and Indirect Cost of Expatriate Labor in Kuwait (1997).  Project sponsored by Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Final Report TED TE007K, Kuwait. (Principal Investigator and Co-author).

8.     Dropout of Primary Students in Pakistan (1995).  Project Report on Dropout of Primary Students in South Asia Prevention Strategies and National Action Plans, Manila: Asian Development Bank. (Co-author).

9.     Projections and Policy Implications of medium and long term Demand and Supply of Major Food Grains in Pakistan (1995). Project sponsored by International Food policy Research Institute and International Rice Research Institute. (Co-author).

10.  Structure of Protection: Efficiency and Profitability (1994) Volumes 1, II, and III. Prepared for Resource mobilization Commission, Islamabad. (Co-author).

11.  Impact of Smuggling on the Economy (1993).  Project Report prepared for the Resource Mobilization Commission, Islamabad. (Co-author).

Completed (unpublished) Research

1.     Institutional Performance Assessment Framework (IPAF) Revised Framework – Tax Component study completed for Gant Thorton/ USAID (2012)

 

2.     Textile Sector of Pakistan: Structural Weaknesses and Future Challenges (2005) authorship with Robina Ather Ahmed

3.     Modeling Electricity Demand: Structural Analysis, Forecasts and Policy Simulations (1999) – A Study completed for National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).

4.     The Economy of Kuwait since Liberation: Performance and Achievements (1997).

5.     Editor: NUST Journal of Business and Economics

a.     This refereed journal has been initiated from Fall Semester of 2008 to disseminate research activities of research fraternity involved in academic pursuits.

6.     Editor/ Author: FBR/ CBR Quarterly Review, March 2002 – July 2008.

a.     The FBR/ CBR Quarterly Review was initiated in 2002 to share research findings on fiscal policy with academia, policy planners and international stakeholders. All issues are available on FBR Website. 

7.     Editor/Author: FBR Year Book

8.     Co-editor: The Pakistan Development Review (The PDR) April 1999 – March 2002.

9.     Secretary: Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE), June 1998 – April 2001.

10.  Joint Secretary: Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE), September 1997 – June 1998.

11.  Secretary: Pakistan Economic Forum (PEF) June 1998 – March 2002.

12.  Member Experts Group: Drug Demand Studies, Government of Pakistan, 1995

Member Program Evaluation Team: World Food Program, Islamabad, Pakistan, 1993

Other Activities:

1.     Member Pay Fixation Committee (TTS) – NUST Faculty, National University of Sciences & Technology, Islamabad

2.     Member Board of Studies NUST Business School, Quaid-i-Azam University, International Islamic University, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science & Technology, Bhauddin Zakria University, and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (Different time spans).

3.     Member of Selection Board, NUST Business School, Quaid-i-Azam University, Urdu University of Arts Science & Technology

4.     Supervisor and External Examiner of PhD and MPhil/MS Dissertations/Theses: NUST Business School, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science & Technology, and International Islamic University.

Supervision of Research:

1.     Supervised PhD dissertations of three PIDE successful graduates during 2006-2010.

2.     Six PhD Scholars are under supervision

3.     Supervised twenty six MPhil/MS Theses during 2010-2014.


​1)     M. Azam and Ather M. Ahmed, (2015), ‘Role of Human Capital and Foreign Direct Investment in Promoting Economic Growth: Evidence from Commonwealth of Independent States’, International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 42 No. 2 pp. 98-111

2)Shahzada M. Naeem Nawaz and Ather M. Ahmed, (2015), ‘New Keynesian Macroeconomic Model and Monetary Policy in Pakistan’ Pakistan Development Review. Vol. 54 No. 1 pp.55-71

3) Ather M. Ahmed (2015), ‘Tapping Potential Sector of Growth’ Roadmap for Economic Growth for Pakistan, Islamabad Policy Research Institute, Ch. 11, pp. 174-187

4) Gulzar Khan and Ather M. Ahmed, (2014), ‘Response of Pakistan’s Economy on Oil Price Fluctuations’ Journal of Business & Economics. Vol. 6, No. 2. pp. 127-156

5)  Mumtaz, M. Z. and Ather M. Ahmed (2014), ‘Determinants of Underpricing of Initial Public Offerings: Evidence from Pakistan’ Journal of Business & Economics. Vol. 6, No. 1. pp. 47-80

6)     S. Alvi and Ather M. Ahmed, (2014), ‘Analyzing the Impact of Health and Education on Total Factor Productivity: A Panel Data Approach’ Indian Economic Review. Vol. 49. No. 1 pp. 109-123

7)   Aasma Saher, Attiya Y. Javid and Ather M. Ahmed (2012) ‘Financial Market Performance, Macroeconomic Policies and Economic Growth: A Case Study of Pakistan’ NUST Journal of Business and Economics. Vol. No. 2011 (published in 2012).

8)   Ather M. Ahmed and W. S. Malik (2011) ‘Economics of Inflation, Issues in the Design of Monetary Policy Rule and Monetary Policy Reaction Function in Pakistan’ The Lahore Journal of Economics. Vol 16 SE,  pp 215-232

9)     Ather M. Ahmed “From GST to RGST: A Raucous Ride” (2010) The Pakistan Development Review Vol: 49,4 pp: 761-764

10)  Malik, W. S. and Ather M. Ahmed (2010) ‘Taylor Rule and the Macroeconomic Performance in Pakistan’ the Pakistan Development Review, 49:1, pp. 37-56. Also published as PIDE Working Paper 34, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad.

11)  M. Azam and Ather M. Ahmed (2010) ‘The Role of Human Capital in Economic Development: Evidence from Pakistan’ Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 2:4.

12)  Ahmed, Ather M. (2009) ‘Underground Economy in Pakistan: How Credible are the Estimate’ NUST Journal of Business and Economics, 2:1, pp 1-9.

13)  Ahmed, Ather M. and Asma Hyder (2008) ‘Sticky Floors and Occupational Segregation: Evidence from Pakistan’ the Pakistan Development Review, 47:4, pp.837-849.

14)  Ahmed, Ather. M. (2009) ‘A Critical Appraisal of Taxation Reforms in Pakistan’ Paper published in M. Irfan and H. M. Yasin edition Socio-economic Challenges Faced by Pakistan. International Institute of Islamic Economics, International Islamic University, Islamabad.

15)  Malik, W. S. and Ather M. Ahmed (2009) ‘Monetary Policy Reaction Function in Pakistan’ Paper presented at the 24th Annual General Conference of Pakistan Society of Development Economists.

) Asma Hyder and Ather M. Ahmed (2009) ‘The Dynamics of Moonlighting in Pakistan’ Paper presented at the 25th Annual General Meeting of PSDE. To be published in the Pakistan Development Review.

17)  Robina, A. Ahmed and Ather M. Ahmed (2007) Sectoral Analysis of GDP and Taxes: Seeking Further Insight. CBR Quarterly Review. 6:3, pp. 47 - 65.

18)  Ahmed, Ather M. and Mir Ahmad Khan (2007) Structure of International Trade in Pakistan: Some Recent Insight. FBR Quarterly Review. 7:1, pp. 34-46.

Publications Prior to 2007:

1)     Ahmed, Ather M., and U. Wahid (2005) Structure of Direct Taxes in Pakistan: A Preliminary Analysis. CBR Quarterly Review. 4:3, pp. 41 - 48.

2)     Ahmed, Ather M., and U. Wahid (2003) Vying for an Accelerated Growth: Lessons from Trade Policy Initiatives in Pakistan. CBR Quarterly Review. 3:2, pp. 35-48.

3)     Ahmed, Ather M., and M. A. Khan (2003) Pakistan’s Experience with WTO Agreements on Market Access. CBR Quarterly Review. 3:1, pp.33-42.

4)     Ahmed, Ather, M. (2003) The Underground Economy: Facts and Fantasies. CBR Quarterly Review. 2:4, pp.32-44.

5)     Ahmed, Ather, M. (2003) How Effective is the Federal Tax System in Pakistan: A Baseline Analysis. CBR Quarterly Review. 2:3, pp.19-39.

6)     Ahmed, Ather M., R.A. Ahmed and M.A. Khan (2002) From ST to GST: The Development of Sales Tax in Pakistan. CBR Quarterly Review. 2:2, pp.15-30.

7)     Ahmed, Ather, M. and S. P. Amjad (2002) Sales Tax Audit and CBR Initiatives. CBR Quarterly Review. 2:2, pp.31-41.

8)     Ahmed, Ather, M. and R.A. Ahmed (2002) Addressing the Refunds and Rebates Conundrum. CBR Quarterly Review. 2:1, pp.19-34.

9)     Ahmed, Ather, M. (2001) Migration-Fertility Nexus: A Test of Competing Hypotheses. Paper presented at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad.

10)  Ahmed, Ather, M. (1999) Source of Earnings Differentials among Migrants and Natives: Evidence from Pakistan.  The Pakistan Development Review. 37:4, pp 939-951.

11)  Ahmed, Ather, M. (1996) A Theoretical Approach to Measure Indirect Cost of Labor. Kuwait Economic Review. 2:1, pp 8-26.

12)  Ahmed, Ather, M. and R. Siddiqui (1995) Food Security in Pakistan: Can it be Achieved? The Pakistan Development Review. 34:4, pp. 723-731.

13)  Ahmed, Ather, M. and I. Sirageldin (1994) Internal Migration and Earnings: The Importance of Self-selection.  The Pakistan Development Review. 33:3, pp. 211-227.

14)  Ahmed, Ather, M. and R. Siddiqui (1994) Supply Response with ‘Endogenous’ Technology.  The Pakistan Development Review. 33:4, pp. 871-888.

15)  Ahmed, Ather, M. and I. Sirageldin (1993) Socio-economic Determinants of Labour Mobility in Pakistan. The Pakistan Development Review. 32:2, pp. 139-157.

16)  Ahmed, Ather, M., M. Rafiq and M.S. Iqbal (1993) Dynamic Properties of an Aggregate Econometric Model of Pakistan’s Economy. The Pakistan Development Review. 32:4, pp. 1031-1041.

17)  Ahmed, Ather, M. (1992) Family Planning in Pakistan: A Reassessment Based on Empirical Evidence. Options Fellows Program. Population Reference Bureau, Washington D.C.

18)  Ahmed, Ather, M., and M. Rafiq (1987) Monetary Anticipations and the Demand for Money: An Application for the South Asian Region. The Pakistan Development Review. 24:4, pp. 529-537.

19)  Robina, A. Ahmed and Ather M. Ahmed (2006) Sectoral Contribution in GDP and Taxes: In Search of the Missing Link CBR Quarterly Review. 6:2, pp. 31 - 45.

20)  Khan, M. A. and Ather M. Ahmed, (2004) Streamlining the Taxation System in Pakistan: An ex post Analysis of Budgetary Measures FY 04-05. CBR Quarterly Review. 4:1, pp. 23 - 36.

) Afia Malik and Ather M. Ahmed (2000) Relationship Between Real Wages and Output: An Evidence from Pakistan. The Pakistan Development Review. 39:4, pp.1111-1126.

22)Saqib, N. and Ather M. Ahmed (1986). Estimation of Money Demand and Money Supply Functions for Pakistan: A Simultaneous Equation Approach. The Pakistan Development Review. 25:4, pp. 855-868.

23)  S.N.H. Naqvi, A.H. Khan, and Ather. M. Ahmed (1984) Possibilities of Regional Trade Expansion: A Link Model fro Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. The Pakistan Development Review. 23:1, pp. 9-35.

Publications (Books):

1)     The Macro-economic Framework for the Eighth Five-Year Plan. (1993) Islamabad: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics. (Co-author).

2)     Preliminary Revised Macro-econometric Model of Pakistan’s Economy. (1986) Islamabad: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics. (Co-author).

3)     The PIDE Macro-econometric Model of Pakistan’s Economy. (1983) Islamabad: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics. (Co-author).

4)     Inflation in Pakistan: Causes and Remedies. (1994) Islamabad: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics. (Co-author).

5)     Modeling Pakistan’s Economy: Forecasting and Policy Simulations. (1985) Islamabad: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (Co-author)

Industry Papers:

1)     Ahmed, Ather M. and Mir Ahmad Khan (2008) Industry Profile: Petroleum Industry in Pakistan. FBR Quarterly Review. 7:3, pp. 36-47.

2)     Ahmed, Ather M., U. Wahid and N. Ahmed (2006) Industry Profile: Telecom Industry in Pakistan. CBR Quarterly Review. 5:4, pp. 29-38.

3)     Ahmed, Ather M., and S. Pirzada (2005) Industry Profile: Fertilizer Industry in Pakistan. CBR Quarterly Review. 4:3, pp. 17 - 27.

4)     Ahmed, Ather M., and S. Pirzada (2004) Industry Profile: Sugar Industry in Pakistan. CBR Quarterly Review. 4:1, pp. 37 - 51.

5)     Ahmed, Ather M., and N. Ahmed (2003) Industry Profile: Cement Industry in Pakistan. CBR Quarterly Review. 3:1, pp.21-32.

Published Reports:

1)     National Nutrition Survey (2001-2002). Islamabad: United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Planning and Development Division, Government of Pakistan. (Principal Investigator and Co-author).

2)     Performance Evaluation of IDD Control Program (2001). Islamabad: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in association with the Planning and Development Division, Islamabad (Principal Investigator and Co-author).

3)     National Survey on Drug Abuse (1993).  Islamabad: Narcotics Control Division and Integrated Drug Demand Reduction Project (IDDRP) of UNDP. (Principal Investigator and Co-author). 

​1)     Professor (Economics): NUST Business School/ School of Social Sciences and Humanities: August 2008 – to date. [Courses Taught in the areas of Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Topics in Development Economics]

2)     Visiting Faculty: Federal Urdu University, Islamabad: 2005 – Spring 2009 [Courses Taught: Macroeconomics and Public Finance]

3)     Senior Faculty: PIDE PhD Program, September 2000 – 2004 [Courses: Macroeconomics I and II].

4)     Visiting Faculty: Department of Economics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. September 1998 – 2004 (with gaps) [Courses: Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics, and Public Finance].

5)     Visiting Faculty: National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Rawalpindi. November 1999 – April 2000 [Statistics] and November 2003 – March 2004 [Issues in Labor Market and Human Resource Management].

6)     Visiting Faculty: The International Islamic University, Islamabad, summer 1992 [Econometrics].

7)     Research/ Teaching Assistant: Department of Population Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, September 1990 – December 1991.

8)     Teaching Assistant: Department of Economics, University of Waterloo, Canada, 1981 – August 1982.

9)     Research Assistant: Department of Economics, Quaid-i-Azam University, March 1979 – August 1979. 

​Employment Record (Research/ Administrative)

​​1. Professor (Economics), Head of Economics, and NUST Public Policy Research Centre: NUST: August 2008 – to date.
2. Member (Fiscal Research & Statistics): Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), March 2002 to July 2008.
3. Chief of Research: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), August 1998 – March 2002.
4. Senior Research Economist: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), September 1997 – August 1998.
5. Associate Research Scientist: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), September 1995 – August 1997
6. Senior Research Economist: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), April 1993 – August 1995.
7. Various Research Positions at PIDE between December 1979 and March 1993.
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