Noted economist and well known intellectual, Dr. Haseeb A Drabu today joined People’s Democratic Party (PDP). According to a spokesman of the party he wrote a letter to party president Mehbooba Mufti about his desire for joining the PDP. Giving the context of his joining the political fray, Drabu wrote, “I want to leave the perch of punditry and slug it out in noise and chaos of politics. I have earlier had the occasion to work with and for the people of J&K. Not only was it professionally an absolute privilege but also personally it was by a long way most satisfying. I want to participate and, to the extent that I can, contribute, to this overall change by working within aegis of the PDP. I do hope you will provide me the opportunity to do so.”
While welcoming the entry of Drabu into the PDP the party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said he had ably assisted the state in its post 2002 economic reconstruction and financial restructuring. He said Drabu had played an important role in all major economic initiatives like the PM’s reconstruction programme , ADB financing and establishment of ERA.He said the entry of professionals like Drabu into PDP indicates the positive impact this party has made among the intelligentia in the state. He said politics provides the best instrument to serve people and bring change in their lives, as established by the PDP in its brief tenure in power.
Drabu has been associated with Mufti Mohammad Sayeed since 2003 when as the Chief Minister, Mufti appointed him as the Economic Adviser to the government of J&K with the rank of a minister of state.Starting his career with the planning commission of India, he has worked with Finance Commission. He has also been a part of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. Drabu was also a member of Prime Minister Committee on long term development of J&K. He also served as a member of the minorities Committee set up to look at the Sachar Committee report. Drabu was appointed a the Chairman of J&K Bank in June 2014 and continued to serve it with distinction till June 2010.After his stint with economic policy making at the national level, Drabu moved into journalism and was the National Editor of Business Standard, a premier financial daily.
Interestingly, his first policy stint with the government of J&K was as member of the Godbole committee appointed by Dr Farooq Abdullah in 1997.Since 2009 , Drabu has been based in Mumbai and has been working as an advisor to leading corporate in Mumbai. He is on the Board of Directors of many companies and also chairs some of these companies. (CNS)