NBP President Makes Favored Appointments to Key Posts Before Leaving Office

Report : Talqeen Zuberi

KARACHI — The President of National Bank of Pakistan, Rahmat Ali Hasni, has initiated appointments of favored individuals at senior level in the bank two days before the end of his tenure.

According to sources Rahmat Ali first appointed Shehryar Khan as Chief of the Special Asset Management Group on August 3. Fearing objections he then issued the same notification with a backdate of July 31.

The appointment to the position of Group Chief in the bank’s most important department, the Asset Management Group, has raised concerns among senior bank officials due to being made in haste just days before the end of the President’s term, claims source. Senior executives of National Bank have expressed serious reservations over the President’s decision.
Bank officials have demanded an inquiry from the Chairman of the Board and the Ministry of Finance into the promotions and new appointments made during Rahmat Ali Hasni’s tenure. According to bank sources, the issuance of two separate appointment orders for the Group Chief of Asset Management has also raised questions on the appointment and on the eligibility criteria of the appointee.
The Ministry of Finance has already selected the new President of NBP, who will assume charge soon.