Imran Sarwar Appointed President and CEO of National Bank of Pakistan

## Appointment Details

The Finance Division’s Internal Finance Wing issued a notification on 3 September, to be published in the Official Gazette of Pakistan Part‑III, confirming the appointment of Mr. Imran Sarwar as President and CEO of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) for three years, effective immediately. The appointment was made under Section 11(3)(a) of the Banks (Nationalization) Act, 1974, file number F.No.1(9)Bkg‑III/2022‑696, and signed by Deputy Secretary Amna Shabbir. ## Background of the New CEO Imran Sarwar joins NBP from United Bank Limited (UBL), where he served as Group Executive – Risk and Credit Policy and Chief Risk Officer, overseeing the bank’s risk architecture and credit policy framework. He brings over 27 years of leadership, strategy and risk‑management experience across banking markets in Pakistan, the UAE, the UK and Australia. Prior to UBL, Sarwar held senior positions at Standard Chartered Bank, most recently as Managing Director and Head of Corporate Banking for the UAE, after a series of senior roles in both the UAE and Pakistan. He also serves on the boards of Khushhali Microfinance Bank and the Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Company (PMRC), where he is credited with establishing risk‑policy and governance frameworks. ## Selection Process The appointment concludes a selection process that began in mid‑June after the Finance Division opened applications following the exit of former CEO Rehmat Ali Hasnie, whose extension expired on 21 August. NBP’s CFO Abdul Wahid Sethi acted as interim head. A panel led by the Finance Minister interviewed nine candidates in mid‑August before the cabinet approved Sarwar’s appointment. ## Market Implications Sarwar’s extensive risk‑management background and cross‑border banking experience are expected to strengthen NBP’s credit governance and risk controls, potentially improving profitability and investor confidence. ## Shariah Consideration NBP operates a range of conventional and Islamic banking services. The new leadership’s focus on risk and governance aligns with Shariah‑compliant banking principles of prudence and transparency. --- *For further updates on NBP and the banking sector, stay tuned to our market desk.*