PESHAWAR, June 29: More than 10 candidates have applied for the post of managing director of Bank of Khyber — a provincial public sector entity.

The NWFP government had invited applications, by June 20, last, from the intending candidates for the post of BoK’s MD, which fell vacant two months back after the then MD was removed by the provincial minister for finance, Siraj-ul- Haq.

According to official sources, more than 10 candidates have applied for the post.

However, the provincial government’s endeavours to fill the office by an experienced and seasoned banker received a set back in view of the lack of interest shown by the professionally sound bankers.

This time also the majority of the applicants are not seasoned and professionally sound bankers as had been the case when the post was advertised last year, said an official of the provincial government.

The last military-backed civil provincial government had advertised the post of BoK’s MD in October last after removing the then MD Sajid Ali Abbasi from the office.

Five of the short-listed candidates, at that time, had also been interviewed before the move was abandoned half way down in November, after the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal led NWFP government restored the services of Mr Abbasi as MD, BoK.

However, the sources said, when the post was advertised second time within a span of eight months it failed to attract seasoned bankers.

Official sources have attributed this situation to uncertainty caused by the frequently brought about changes in the BoK making it a less attractive organization for the promising banking professionals.

Out of the five candidates who were short-listed and interviewed when the post was advertised in October last year, only two have applied again with the remaining three deciding to stay away from the contest.

“The removal of the MD twice in less than six months time discredited the Bank and rendered the post highly unreliable,” said the sources. According to sources, the provincial government is in the process of short-listing the candidates for issuing them interview calls.