Prof Khurshid remembered for service and vision

Islamabad : Professor Khurshid Ahmad, a distinguished scholar, Islamic economist, reformer and statesman, consistently sought to build bridges among people of diverse ideological backgrounds, said speakers at a condolence reference here.

The insisted that the commitment to inclusivity is evident in the wide spectrum of individuals influenced by his ideas, his body of work, and the institutions he founded. "Prof Khurshid was a personification of timeless values that serve as guiding principles for future generations. He lived a life driven by purpose and vision, beyond the pursuit of wealth, power, or status, dedicated wholly to Islam and Pakistan," said IPS chairman Khalid Rahman.

The event was hosted by IPS Islamabad to honour the life, work and legacy of Prof Khurshid, also the founding chairman of IPS, who passed away on April 13. It brought together a diverse gathering of policymakers, scholars, students, colleagues and admirers. The speakers remembered Prof Khurshid as a trailblazer who championed Islamic economics, founded transformative institutions, and helped shape intellectual discourse in Pakistan and beyond.

Mushahid Hussain Sayed, former senator, fondly recalled that Prof Khurshid had a remarkable ability to connect with people, embracing individuals regardless of background or age. He rose above party lines and always spoke from the heart – as a Muslim and a Pakistani. He underscored the enduring relevance of his values, vision, scholarship, and devotion as a statesman, having served in the Senate for nearly 22 years.

Veteran parliamentarians Farhatullah Babar and Javed Jabbar, cherished Prof Khurshid’s wisdom, diligence, and commitment to the common good, which characterized his role in the Parliament.

Lawyer and former federal minister, commented that his intellectual presence extended beyond the Senate, impacting global debates and movements across Muslim and non-Muslim lands. His body of work is a lasting legacy and will continue to inspire future generations.

Emphasising the lasting impact of Prof Khurshid’s intellectual contributions, member of the Supreme Court's Shariat Appellate Bench Dr Qibla Ayaz described him as a scholar of future studies who accurately anticipated the trajectories of Islam, Pakistan, and the Muslim Ummah. It was this vision, he said, that led Prof Khurshid to establish enduring institutions, ensuring that his ideas continue to live on. Echoing the sentiments, former minister Dr Shireen Mazari noted that Prof Khurshid considered the establishment of IPS as an independent think tank among his most enduring legacies. Under his leadership, IPS became a vibrant hub for intellectual discourse, particularly on Kashmir, on which the institute produced some of the most comprehensive research unmatched by any other Pakistani think tank.

Maulana Zahid-ur-Rashidi, a religious scholar and editor of Al-Sharia, said Prof Khurshid dedicated his life to advancing education, enriching intellectual discourse, and contributing meaningfully to the national landscape. His contribution to the movement to eliminate interest-based financial systems demonstrated wisdom, profound insight, and technical acumen. Dr Anis Ahmad, vice chancellor, Riphah International University and brother of Prof Khurshid, said Prof Khurshid actively promoted the political, economic and social thought of Maulana Maududi with deep dedication and clarity.