Former Finance Minister Dr Yadav Prasad Pant passed away on Wednesday at the age of 82 while undergoing treatment at Bumrungrad Hospital in Thailand.

Dr Pant, the first Nepali to receive Doctorate in Economics in 1952, had also attained Doctorate in Economics Literature in 1976.

He had worked as the vice-president World Federation of United Nation Association from 1991-1999. He was also senior member of the World Federation of the United Nation Association, founder president of Nepal-Japan Friendship and Cultural Association, and Nepal – Scandinavian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He had worked with various international and national organisations including UN ESCAP (Bangkok), finance and planning secretary, National Planning Commission, governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank, Royal Nepali envoy to Japan, chairman of Economic Commission, Minister for Industry and Commerce, Finance and Water resources and headed National Industrial Development Corporation, National Trading Ltd, Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation and was district governor of Lions Clubs International, District 325 – B.

He was also visiting professor for UN Institute Bangkok, Institute of International Studies, Tokyo and Korean Development Institute, Seoul.

He has authored more than two dozen books and had received highest decorations from Nepal government, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Emperor of Japan and president of Republic of Korea.

He had a wife Rama Devi, three sons Dr Girish Pant, Dr Bhuwanesh Pant and Radhesh Pant and a daughter Meera Arjyal.