ISLAMABAD: The officers association of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Wednesday challenged appointment of the NBP’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Saeed Ahmed, in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb on Wednesday issued notices to Mr Ahmed and the federal government after hearing preliminary arguments.

The petitioner adopted before the court that the finance ministry had advertised the post of the president/chief executive officer, National Bank of Pakistan in different national newspapers prescribing at least five years of experience at senior level as executive vice president and above or equivalent in banking sector.

The petition said that a committee headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar scrutinised and shortlisted the candidates for this appointment.

The committee conducted the interviews and recommended Mr Ahmad, deputy governor, State Bank of Pakistan as CEO NBP.

The petition claimed that Mr Ahmed was a dual national and possesses British citizenship according to his own statement as mentioned in his statements submitted to the British authorities.

It alleged that Mr Ahmed did not possess required experience of banking sector and was allegedly involved in money-laundering as stated by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) constituted by the Supreme Court.

The petition pointed out that there was not only a conflict of interest but a constitutional conflict as well as Mr Ahmed was also bound by oath and pledge, etc., under the British laws and person with such conflicting loyalty cannot be appointed as head/president/CEO of the largest scheduled bank of Pakistan.

The petition requested the court to set aside the notification for the appointment of Mr Ahmed as the National Bank CEO.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2017