Agha Hasan Abedi was an outstanding banker and is primarily remembered as the founder of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), which was abruptly closed in 1991. His influence, however, extended far beyond banking to management, education, philanthropy and international development.
Those fortunate enough to have worked with him remember not only an exceptional leader, but also a generous mentor. He had a remarkable ability to recognise potential, encourage independent thought and inspire confidence in others. He challenged people to look beyond conventional boundaries and to pursue excellence with purpose, integrity and humility.
His leadership was not defined solely by the institutions he built or the success he achieved. It was rooted in his belief that meaningful and lasting progress is possible only when people are empowered to realise their full potential. That philosophy remains as relevant today as it was during his lifetime.
This page brings together impressions, recollections and tributes from some former colleagues, employees and public figures who knew or worked with him, offering further insight into his character, vision and wider contribution.
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"My association with Agha Hasan Abedi dates back to the early sixties. I shall always remember him as a man with an extraordinary vision, a man who dared to dream the hitherto impossible dream, a man with a magnificent obsession. His unique style of providing leadership to the people around him, his capacity to unleash the latent energy of an apparently inert entity and above all his empathy towards fellow human beings will remain forever fresh in my memory.
It is unfortunate that a true and proper evaluation of Agha Hasan Abedi's tremendous contribution to the building up of self-confidence among many developing nations will not be makers. made now because of the persistent propaganda of the Western media and other opinion I am, however, confident that in not too distant a future people of the world will be able to sift the truth from facts."
9 August 1995: Anwarul Amin, Chairman Impact Foundation Bangladesh charitable trust, former General Manager Bangladesh, Chief Representative BCC China and General Manager BCCI Tokyo, Japan.
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"Abedi was not just a banker. He was a social entrepreneur, a visionary, management practitioner and philosopher and a motivator of people. His focus was throughout not on building great wealth but on building people to serve the nation and the industry with their knowledge and skills. Little wonder that banking professionals and managers working with him adorn positions of high responsibility in banks all over the world.
His influence in all fields of human endeavour that he undertook went beyond everyone's wildest expectation as he moved at great speed in several directions. It is unfortunate that his life's work and achievements were mired in controversy and a conspiracy hatched to tarnish the image of this amazing person who ‘dared' to challenge the hegemony of the developed world? Who dreamt of a better life for the impoverished people of the underdeveloped world and escaped the cudgels of the rich with a Third World financial institution and come a cropper?
Can the people of conscience allow the legacy of Abedi, an outstanding human being and from Pakistan to be forgotten?"
2016: Dr Junaid Ahmed, an accomplished academician, researcher and a prominent Management Consultant of Pakistan, Chairman National Management Consultant (Pvt) Ltd (NMC), Karachi, Pakistan.
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