The Federal Government has appointed Imran Sarwar as National Bank of Pakistan President and CEO for a three-year term with immediate effect.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Government has appointed Imran Sarwar as President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) for a three-year term with immediate effect.
The appointment was confirmed through a notification issued by the Finance Division’s Internal Finance Wing on September 3 for publication in the Official Gazette of Pakistan, Part-III.
The notification was issued under Section 11(3)(a) of the Banks (Nationalisation) Act, 1974, and was signed by Amna Shabbir, Deputy Secretary to the Government of Pakistan.
Sarwar joins NBP from United Bank Limited (UBL), where he served as Group Executive – Risk and Credit Policy and Chief Risk Officer. In that role, he was responsible for the bank’s risk architecture and credit policy framework.
He brings more than 27 years of leadership, strategy and risk-management experience across banking markets in Pakistan, the UAE, the UK and Australia.
Extensive banking experience
Before joining UBL, Sarwar held several senior positions at Standard Chartered Bank. His most recent role was Managing Director and Head of Corporate Banking for the UAE, following a series of senior assignments at the bank in the UAE and Pakistan.
His professional experience also includes board positions at Khushhali Microfinance Bank and the Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Company (PMRC).
His profiles at the two institutions highlight his experience in developing risk policies and governance frameworks, supported by his international banking background.
Sarwar holds a business and accounting degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in the United States and an LLB from the University of Punjab.
Appointment follows selection process
Sarwar’s appointment concludes a selection process that began in June, when the Finance Division invited applications for the position of NBP President and CEO.
The recruitment process followed the departure of Rehmat Ali Hasnie, whose final extension as NBP chief expired on August 21.
In the interim, NBP Chief Financial Officer Abdul Wahid Sethi had been temporarily overseeing the bank’s affairs.
A panel headed by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb interviewed nine candidates for the position in mid-August.
Sarwar will now take charge of NBP as the state-owned bank’s new President and CEO for the next three years.