Mohammad Zubair Umar

former Governor of Sindh

Compiled from 1 recorded interview. Every statement below is drawn from the passage cited beside it.

Mohammad Zubair Umar is the former Governor of Sindh. He worked in finance and treasury, and when he left IBM he was Chief Financial Officer for its Middle East and Africa region, based in Dubai. He has said he joined a party in July 2012 and was in the cabinet by June 2013, and that he served as privatisation minister.

Early life and background

Umar was born in Abbottabad. His father was in the army, and each of his brothers was born in a different city. The family moved often and lived in Dhaka, Quetta, Lahore and Ankara. [1]

Education

Umar attended public schools, including in Dhaka, Lahore and Quetta. He studied at Karachi University and then at IBA Karachi. At Karachi University he completed a BA with honours in economics. He has said he took the IBA entrance test and was admitted. [1]

According to Umar, IBA was the only business school. He said IBA took about 100 students out of 5,000 to 6,000 applicants at that time. He said he was among students with strong intermediate marks who were unsure what to do. His brother was already at IBA. Umar described IBA as still remaining a premier educational institution. [1]

Career at IBM and teaching

Umar has said he was keenly interested in teaching at IBA and received an offer. He worked at IBM for about a year, then taught at the evening campus of IBA. He taught financial management at IBA for seven semesters, and has said he taught until he was posted to Paris. [1]

Umar majored in finance and worked in finance and treasury, not engineering. He has said most of his career was in finance, management, treasury and similar operations. He lived in Rome and then Milan, which was the headquarters for IBM Southern Europe. He also spent time in Dubai and had short postings in Johannesburg and other places. When he left IBM, he was Chief Financial Officer for the Middle East and Africa region, based in Dubai. [1]

Political career

Umar has said his entry into politics was not planned. He said he joined a party in July 2012 and was in the cabinet by June 2013. He said he had no constituency, no connection to Punjab and did not know the Sharifs. He has said he served as privatisation minister, and that as governor he took the case of Karachi all over the world, not just in Pakistan. [1]

Views on politics and elections

Umar has said very few people join politics on the basis of ideology. He said the constitution allows Pakistan to be a multi-party democracy, and that it makes clear that the political process continues through elections. He said politics in Pakistan has not been allowed to evolve and that the evolution of politics in the country is stuck. He also said politics is about popularity. [1]

When questioned about Maryam Nawaz being made senior vice president and party chief organiser, he answered yes without any confusion. Umar has said governments inherit issues but are judged on the decisions they make, and that a sitting government should justify its own decisions. He said that under IBM rules, an unfavourable audit after nine months in a role led to dismissal. He said he is in favour of elections going ahead as scheduled and that he has long advocated earlier elections. [1]

Views on the economy and the IMF

Umar has said he judges the economy by its numbers and that economic policy depends on time and circumstances. He said Pakistan needs to undertake serious economic reforms. He said Pakistan has reached its 23rd IMF programme in 60 years and is facing its 13th major balance of payments crisis since 1988. He said each party that took power since 2002 ended up in an IMF programme. [1]

According to Umar, an IMF programme requires tough decisions that are unpopular in the short run, and parties do not want to remain under an IMF programme because they want to take populist decisions. He said security rests on a strong economy. He said a 126-day sit-in outside Constitution Avenue made it hard for ministers to work. He said reforms must continue beyond 2028, and that his side recognised that reforms were needed but did not carry them out. He said Pakistan has to function as a normal country. [1]

The economy under the 2013 government

Umar said the electricity crisis in 2013 was severe. He said that when his government took office in 2013, the common claim that the country was about to default was not accurate. He said Ishaq Dar managed the economy and deserves credit for it. He said the economy had been normalised within three years of his government, and that inflation was at its lowest level in 40 years. [1]

Karachi

Umar said Karachi was unlivable, and that its law and order had been a near-total disaster for about 20 years. He said Pakistan then faced two fundamental crises, in law and order and in terrorism. He said the law was changed to enhance the powers of the Rangers. According to Umar, the Karachi operation was the only successful one that ended in peace, and following the return of peace, investors had to be brought back. [1]

Views on regional relations and society

Umar said Modi missed an opportunity to improve relations with Pakistan. He said signing the Lahore Declaration and the famous bus yatra were a major breakthrough. He said regional trade is fundamental to economic growth, and that Pakistan trades less than 1% with its neighbours. He said trade within ASEAN, GCC and the EU makes up 80 to 90 percent of their total trade. He said he is fully convinced that regional peace is needed. [1]

He said there is an active proxy war and that Pakistan has suffered the most. He said Pakistanis must learn that countries move on. [1]

Umar said the elite consists of bureaucrats, generals, judges, parliamentarians and businessmen. He said that on gender issues, climate change and economics, apart from a leader here and there with a nuanced understanding, most leaders say the same things. He said the nationalisation of private schools, especially missionary schools, was a big blow. He said people at top corporates and the world's best universities came out of Pakistan's private school network. [1]

Personal life

Umar has said Paris was the best place where he had worked. He said that while he was in Paris, getting through a week was hard for him. He said he and his family were very comfortable living in Pakistan. [1]

Timeline

2012
Joined a political party.[1]
2013
Was in the cabinet by June.[1]

Appearances

DateTitleWhere
2023-03-29 Pakistan is stuck in history while the world moves on Thought Behind Things

Frequently asked questions

Who is Mohammad Zubair Umar?

Mohammad Zubair Umar is the former Governor of Sindh. He worked in finance and treasury, and when he left IBM he was Chief Financial Officer for its Middle East and Africa region, based in Dubai.[1]

Where did Mohammad Zubair Umar study?

Mohammad Zubair Umar studied at Karachi University and then at IBA Karachi. He completed a BA with honours in economics at Karachi University. Before that he attended public schools, including in Dhaka, Lahore and Quetta.[1]

Where is Mohammad Zubair Umar from?

Mohammad Zubair Umar was born in Abbottabad. His father was in the army, and the family moved often, living in Dhaka, Quetta, Lahore and Ankara.[1]

What did Mohammad Zubair Umar do at IBM?

Mohammad Zubair Umar worked at IBM in finance and treasury, with postings that included Rome, Milan and Dubai. When he left IBM, he was Chief Financial Officer for the Middle East and Africa region, based in Dubai.[1]

When did Mohammad Zubair Umar enter politics?

Mohammad Zubair Umar has said he joined a party in July 2012 and was in the cabinet by June 2013. He has said his entry into politics was not planned, and that he served as privatisation minister.[1]

What are Mohammad Zubair Umar's views on the IMF?

Mohammad Zubair Umar has said an IMF programme requires tough decisions that are unpopular in the short run. He has said each party that took power since 2002 ended up in an IMF programme. He has also said Pakistan needs to undertake serious economic reforms.[1]

Did Mohammad Zubair Umar teach?

Mohammad Zubair Umar taught financial management at IBA for seven semesters. He taught at the evening campus of IBA after about a year at IBM, and has said he taught until he was posted to Paris.[1]

References

  1. Pakistan is stuck in history while the world moves on . Thought Behind Things , 2023-03-29.
Show the source passages (78 statements)
  1. He is the former Governor of Sindh. Mohammad Zubair is the Former Governor Sindh.
  2. He was born in Abbottabad. so Abbottabad mein paidaish hui.
  3. His father was in the army, and each of his brothers was born in a different city. Mere walid sahab fauj mein thay, toh har bhai ki paidaish mukhtalif shehar mein.
  4. His family moved often and lived in Dhaka, Quetta, Lahore and Ankara. Nahi, move karte rahe. Dhaka, Quetta, Lahore, um, Ankara.
  5. He attended public schools, including in Dhaka, Lahore and Quetta. education toh pehle toh zahir hai yahi Dhaka, jahan bhi, Lahore wagera, Quetta, public schools generally.
  6. He studied at Karachi University and then at IBA Karachi. Karachi University and then IBA Karachi.
  7. He completed a BA with honours in economics at Karachi University. Karachi University se BA, uh, honors kiya tha economics mein.
  8. He said he took the IBA entrance test and was admitted. so I gave the test aur phir main IBA mein dakhla mil gaya.
  9. He said IBA was the only business school. IBA was the only business school by the way.
  10. He said IBA took about 100 students out of 5,000 to 6,000 applicants at that time. us waqt bhi 5,000, 6,000 mein se 100 lene hote thay.
  11. He said he was among students with strong intermediate marks who were unsure what to do. Toh jinke inter mein itne achhe marks woh phir unko samajh nahi aa rahi hoti thi ke kya karein. Toh hum bhi unmein se thay.
  12. His brother was already at IBA. Toh mere pehle bhai thay Munir Kamal, woh IBA mein already thay
  13. He described IBA as still remaining a premier educational institution. it still remains as a premier educational institution.
  14. He said he was keenly interested in teaching at IBA and received an offer. maine mujhe bada interest tha ke main parhaoon IBA mein. I got an offer. Dr. Wahab hote thay Dean and Director.
  15. He worked at IBM for about a year, then taught at the evening campus of IBA. after a year at IBM, then I got into teaching in the evening campus of IBA.
  16. He taught financial management at IBA for seven semesters. I taught financial management for seven semesters till I got posted out to Paris.
  17. He said he taught financial management until he was posted to Paris. till I got posted out to Paris.
  18. He majored in finance and worked in finance and treasury, not engineering. I majored in finance and I went in the finance and treasury. So no engineering.
  19. He said most of his career was in finance, management, treasury and similar operations. mera zyada tar career bhi usi mein finance, management, treasury and is qisam ke operations mein.
  20. He said Paris was the best place where he had worked. Paris is Paris, I mean, still I think the best place where I have worked.
  21. He said that while he was in Paris, getting through a week was hard for him. jab Paris mein tha toh mere liye ek, ek hafta guzarna mushkil tha.
  22. He lived in Rome and then Milan, which was the headquarters for IBM Southern Europe. Rome mein raha, uh, Rome, phir uske baad Milan, that was the headquarter for IBM Southern Europe.
  23. He spent time in Dubai and had short postings in Johannesburg and other places. Dubai mein and then short-term stints, uh, kaafi jagah Johannesburg, idhar udhar sab jagah ki.
  24. When he left IBM, he was Chief Financial Officer for the Middle East and Africa region, based in Dubai. when I left IBM, I was very secure as the Chief Financial Officer of Middle East, Africa region, based in Dubai
  25. He said he and his family were very comfortable living in Pakistan. I think we were very, very comfortable being in Pakistan.
  26. He said his entry into politics was not planned. It wasn't intentional. Achha. I mean, I had not planned.
  27. He said he joined a party in July 2012 and was in the cabinet by June 2013. So I get into a party in July 2012 and I am sitting in the cabinet in June 2013.
  28. He said he had no constituency, no connection to Punjab and did not know the Sharifs. Na mere paas constituency thi, na main Punjab se taluq tha, na kisi uh uh Sharifs ko jaanta tha.
  29. He said he served as privatisation minister. main privatization minister tha hum wahan karne jate the road show karne jate the
  30. He said that as governor he took the case of Karachi all over the world, not just in Pakistan. because I was governor and we shared it not just in Pakistan, all over the world I took the case of Karachi
  31. He said very few people join politics on the basis of ideology. I think there are very few people who have joined politics on the basis of some ideology.
  32. He said the constitution allows Pakistan to be a multi-party democracy. we have a constitution which allows Pakistan to be a multi-party democracy
  33. He said the constitution makes clear that the political process continues through elections. Our constitution is clear ke political process will continue, which is through the electoral process.
  34. He said politics in Pakistan has not been allowed to evolve. Mujhe masla yeh nazar aata hai ki hamare yahan politics ko evolve nahi hone diya.
  35. He said the evolution of politics in the country is stuck. I think the evolution of the evolution of politics in this country is stuck.
  36. He said politics is about popularity. Politics is about popularity.
  37. He said that when questioned about Maryam Nawaz being made senior vice president and party chief organiser, he answered yes without any confusion. Maryam Nawaz ko senior vice president banaya aur party ka chief organizer banaya hai and people were questioning me aur mere se poocha bhi uh TV par bhi. And I say yes 100% without any uh confusion I am saying yes.
  38. He said he judges the economy by its numbers. economy mein mere liye numbers are prime thing
  39. He said economic policy depends on time and circumstances. woh waqt ki munasibat se aur halaat ki munasibat se hoti hai.
  40. He said governments inherit issues but are judged on the decisions they make. There are issues that you inherit and the thing is very easy to judge the decision making that you do.
  41. He said a sitting government should justify its own decisions. Bhai, aap apne faisle ko justify karein. That is the way to evaluate a sitting government.
  42. He said that under IBM rules, an unfavourable audit after nine months in a role led to dismissal. IBM mein agar aapko 9 mahine hote the na apni job mein as a CFO ya as a regional head ya country head aur aapka audit hota tha and if audit was unfavorable, you were fired from the job.
  43. He said Pakistan needs to undertake serious economic reforms. Pakistan needs to undertake serious economic reforms.
  44. He said Pakistan has reached its 23rd IMF programme in 60 years. 60 saal mein 23 waan IMF program hai.
  45. He said Pakistan is facing its 13th major balance of payments crisis since 1988. this is the 13th major balance of payment crisis that Pakistan is facing since 1988
  46. He said each party that took power since 2002 ended up in an IMF programme. Every political party ab 2002 mein Q-League jeeti, IMF program mein pahunch gayi.
  47. He said an IMF programme requires tough decisions that are unpopular in the short run. you have to take tough, difficult decisions that are good for the country but they are unpopular in the short run.
  48. He said parties do not want to remain under an IMF programme because they want to take populist decisions. IMF program ke under nahi rehna chahegi because they want to take populist decisions.
  49. He said security rests on a strong economy. Jitni strong economy hogi uske upar aapki security khadi hoti hai.
  50. He said a 126-day sit-in outside Constitution Avenue made it hard for ministers to work. 126 din constitution avenue ke samne aake koi baith jaye aap se ke aap apne ministry se bahar jana aur andar aana aapke liye mahal ho na
  51. He said reforms must continue beyond 2028. that reform process must continue beyond 2028 or whatever.
  52. He said his side recognised that reforms were needed but did not carry them out. We do realize ke humein reforms karne hain humne nahi kiye
  53. He said Pakistan has to function as a normal country. Pakistan has to function as a normal country.
  54. He said he is in favour of elections going ahead as scheduled. So elections inshaAllah taala honge and I am all for it.
  55. He said he has long advocated earlier elections. I have been an advocate of earlier elections.
  56. He said Modi missed an opportunity to improve relations with Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif jab prime minister the, no one in Pakistan you would agree was more favorable for India to shake hands and move forward. But Modi missed that opportunity.
  57. He said regional trade is fundamental to economic growth. fundamental to your economic sustenance or economic growth is regional trade.
  58. He said he is fully convinced that regional peace is needed. jo main bilkul 100% convinced hoon ke regional peace honi chahiye.
  59. He said Pakistan trades less than 1% with its neighbours. Pakistan trades less than 1% with its neighbors.
  60. He said trade within ASEAN, GCC and the EU makes up 80 to 90 percent of their total trade. ASEAN countries hain, GCC hai, European Union hai, woh saari trade unki 90%, 80% within those hoti hai.
  61. He said there is an active proxy war and that Pakistan has suffered the most. There is an active proxy war that's happening. Proxy war. In fact, Pakistan has suffered the most.
  62. He said Pakistanis must learn that countries move on. Pakistanis must learn that countries move on.
  63. He said the elite consists of bureaucrats, generals, judges, parliamentarians and businessmen. Elite kaun hai? Bureaucrats hain, generals hain, judges hain, parliamentarians hain, businessmen hain.
  64. He said that on gender issues, climate change and economics, apart from a leader here and there with a nuanced understanding, most leaders say the same things. Pakistan mein aap gender issues ki baat karein, aap climate change ki baat karein, aap economics ki baat karein. For most part, um, apart from a leader here and there who has the nuanced understanding, for most part, they're saying the same things.
  65. He said the nationalisation of private schools, especially missionary schools, was a big blow. jo private schools thay na, khas tor par missionary schools thay, St. Michael's and St. Mary's and Convents and so on and so forth. I think usko sabko nationalize kar liya tha and that was a big, big blow.
  66. He said people at top corporates and the world's best universities came out of Pakistan's private school network. top corporates mein dekh lein, duniya ki behtareen universities mein dekh lein, woh hamare private school network se nikle gaye.
  67. He said signing the Lahore Declaration and the famous bus yatra were a major breakthrough. Lahore declaration sign karna, woh jo famous bus yatra, was a major breakthrough.
  68. He said the Karachi operation was the only successful one that ended in peace. This is the only successful operation which concluded with peace in Karachi
  69. He said Karachi was unlivable. Karachi was unlivable.
  70. He said Karachi's law and order had been a near-total disaster for about 20 years. Karachi ka masla different tha jo law and order ke hisab se taqreeban 20 saal se total disaster tha.
  71. He said Pakistan then faced two fundamental crises, in law and order and in terrorism. Plus Pakistan faced two fundamental crisis, big time crisis. Ek toh tha uh pure Pakistan mein us waqt law and order ki flat, terrorism.
  72. He said the law was changed to enhance the powers of the Rangers. usse pehle humne qanoon change kiya tha ki Rangers ki powers ko enhance kiya tha.
  73. He said the electricity crisis in 2013 was severe. Bijli ka crisis itna bada tha, aap wapas utha ke 2013 ki election campaign dekh lein.
  74. He said that following the return of peace, investors had to be brought back. following the return of peace, we had to bring back investors
  75. He said Ishaq Dar managed the economy and deserves credit for it. So, that economy was managed by Ishaq Dar. You have to give him that credit.
  76. He said the economy had been normalised within three years of his government. Teen saal mein humne bilkul economy ko normalize karke khada kar diya tha
  77. He said inflation was at its lowest level in 40 years. Lowest level of inflation tha pichle 40 saal mein
  78. He said that when his government took office in 2013, the common claim that the country was about to default was not accurate. 2013 mein jab hamari hukumat aayegi, main yeh nahi kahunga woh jo sab kehte hain ki ji hum aaye the toh default hone wala tha yeh. Nothing like that.