The Federal Government has appointed Imran Sarwar as President and CEO 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, 2026, following a federal cabinet decision on the appointment. The move fills the leadership position at one of Pakistan’s major state-owned banks after the end of Rehmat Ali Hasnie’s tenure.
The appointment has been made under Section 11(3)(a) of the Banks (Nationalization) Act, 1974. The notification, which has been marked for publication in the Official Gazette of Pakistan Part-III, was signed by Amna Shabbir, Deputy Secretary to the Government of Pakistan. Abdul Wahid Sethi, NBP’s Chief Financial Officer, had been serving as acting President and CEO following the conclusion of Hasnie’s tenure and the subsequent extension of his term.
Sarwar joins NBP from United Bank Limited (UBL), where he served as Group Executive for Risk and Credit Policy and Group Chief Risk Officer. He has more than 27 years of experience across banking, risk management, corporate and institutional banking, investment banking and strategy. His professional experience spans Pakistan, the UAE, the UK and Australia, giving him exposure to multiple banking markets and financial institutions.
Before joining UBL, Sarwar held several senior positions at Standard Chartered Bank, including serving as Managing Director and Head of Corporate Banking for the UAE. His experience also includes board-level roles at Khushhali Microfinance Bank and the Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Company. He holds a degree in Business and Accounting from Ohio Wesleyan University and an LLB from the University of Punjab.
Sarwar’s appointment comes after a recruitment process initiated by the Finance Division in June to select a permanent President and CEO for NBP. His selection places a banking executive with extensive risk and credit policy experience at the helm of the state-owned institution. The new leadership will now take charge of NBP’s operations following a period of interim management while the government completed the appointment process.
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