Summary
- LAHORE: The federal government has failed to finalize the name for the permanent President of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and has handed over the charge of the bank’s top office to its Chief Financial Officer, Abdul Wahid Sethi, for an interim period of three months.
- According to a Finance Division notification issued on August 21, 2026, Sethi has been assigned acting charge of the President/CEO Office to manage the day-to-day affairs of the state-owned bank.
- Abdul Wahid Sethi, Chief Financial Officer, National Bank of Pakistan, is hereby assigned acting charge of President/ CEO Office, to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Bank, for an interim period of three months or till the appointment of regular President/ CEO, whichever is earlier.” The government is expected to continue the process of selecting a permanent head for NBP during the interim period.
LAHORE: The federal government has failed to finalize the name for the permanent President of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and has handed over the charge of the bank’s top office to its Chief Financial Officer, Abdul Wahid Sethi, for an interim period of three months.
According to a Finance Division notification issued on August 21, 2026, Sethi has been assigned acting charge of the President/CEO Office to manage the day-to-day affairs of the state-owned bank. The arrangement will remain in place for three months or until a regular President and CEO is appointed, whichever comes first.
The notification, issued by the Internal Finance Wing and signed by Amna Shabbir, Deputy Secretary to the Government of Pakistan, cites the Corporate Governance Regulatory Framework as the basis for the appointment.
Battle for NBP Top Slot Intensifies
Sources in the Finance Ministry told Minute Mirror that the battle to appoint “one’s own man” as NBP President has intensified. A panel led by the Finance Minister had recently interviewed 9 candidates for the position, but no consensus could be reached.
The interim appointment comes as the tenure of outgoing President and CEO Rehmat Ali Hasnie ended on August 21.
Industry circles regard Sethi as a highly competent and polished banking professional, with peers widely recognizing his strong track record in handling complex financial and banking matters.
Official Notification
The Finance Division’s notification states:
> “F.No.1(33)Bkg-III/2018 In consonance with Corporate Governance Regulatory Framework, Mr. Abdul Wahid Sethi, Chief Financial Officer, National Bank of Pakistan, is hereby assigned acting charge of President/ CEO Office, to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Bank, for an interim period of three months or till the appointment of regular President/ CEO, whichever is earlier.”
The government is expected to continue the process of selecting a permanent head for NBP during the interim period.
We welcome your contributions! Submit your blogs, opinion pieces, press releases, news story pitches, and news features to opinion@minutemirror.com.pk and minutemirrormail@gmail.com
