Agha Hasan Abedi
Agha Hasan Abedi | |
---|---|
Born | 14 May 1922 Lucknow University |
Occupation | Banker |
Years active | 1946–1990 |
Known for | Founder of Bank of Credit and Commerce International |
Criminal penalty | 8 years prison[3] |
Spouse | Rabia Abedi |
Children | 1 |
Agha Hasan Abedi (
Early life and education
Agha Hasan Abedi was born in
Career
Abedi started his career at the age of 24 when he joined Habib Bank Limited.[4]
In 1959, Abedi founded the United Bank Limited (UBL).[1] He was the Founder and the first President. Under his stewardship, UBL became the second largest bank in Pakistan. Abedi introduced the concept of personalised service and banking support to trade and industry, paying particular attention to the bank's overseas operations. One of the first to comprehend the opportunities offered by the oil boom in the Persian Gulf, Abedi pioneered close economic collaboration in the private sector between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, extended his patronage to UBL operations both in Pakistan and abroad.
Bank of Credit and Commerce International
In 1972, Abedi started the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) initially with funding of US$2.5 million only.[3] For a decade, it was the fastest growing bank in the world.[3] At its peak, it operated in more than seventy countries and had about 1.3 million depositors.[3]
In 1988, he left because of poor health.[3]
In July 1991, it was found by international regulators that the bank was involved in a massive fraud and
Registered in
Philanthropy
Abedi founded charitable organisations in
.The Infaq Foundation has only one office in Karachi, Pakistan.
Abedi also founded BCCI FAST in 1980 with a donation of Rs. 100 million, to promote education in computer science.[4] It is now the first multi-campus university of Pakistan, known as National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences. It has five campuses situated in Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad.
Abedi also contributed funds to establish Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology.[4]
Personal life
Hasan Abedi was married to Rabia Abedi. The couple had a daughter named Maha.
Award and honor
- Agha Hasan Abedi Auditorium at Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, was named after him.
- Agha Hasan Abedi was posthumously awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, a Pakistani Civilian Award, by the President of Pakistan in 2015 for his services to the nation.[12]
References
- ^ a b c "Agha Hasan Abedi passes away". Dawn Wire Service. 9 August 1995. Archived from the original on 8 September 2006. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Posthumous honour for BCCI founder". The Express Tribune newspaper. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Agha Hasan Abedi; Banker Founded BCCI". Los Angeles Times. 6 August 1995.
- ^ a b c d e f g "The heir to Agha Hasan Abedi - Profit by Pakistan Today". 5 November 2018.
- ^ a b "The man behind the bust: a chance encounter that changed history". The Express Tribune newspaper. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ^ Thomas, Robert McG. Jr. (6 August 1995). "Agha Hasan Abedi, 74, Dies In the Shadow of a Vast Fraud". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Too little, too late". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ Thomas, Robert McG. Jr. (6 August 1995). "Agha Hasan Abedi, 74, Dies in the Shadow of a Vast Fraud". The New York Times.
- ^ "The Go-Go Years". www.geocities.ws.
- ^ Walsh, Conal (19 January 2003). "Spies hide as Bank faces BCCI charges". The Guardian.
- ^ "The BCCI Affair – 3 The origin and early years of BCCI". Fas.org. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
- ^ "Hilal-i-Imtiaz Award for the late Agha Hasan Abedi in 2015". Samaa TV. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
External links
- Biographical
- Agha Hasan Abedi, Salaam
- Agha Hasan Abedi passes away, Dawn wire service
- About BCCI
- The BCCI Affair, Federation of American Scientists (www.fas.org)
- CDSS – Centre for Development of Social Services
- CDSS, Centre for Development of Social Services – Official Website
- Korangi Academy, Korangi Academy – Official Website
- Misc.
- About Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST), National University
- Genesis, GIK Institute