The government has appointed National Bank of Pakistan Chief Financial Officer Abdul Wahid Sethi as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer of the state owned bank, following the conclusion of Rehmat Ali Hasnie’s tenure on August 21, 2026. Sethi will take charge of the bank’s affairs on an interim basis as NBP moves through a leadership transition and awaits the appointment of a permanent President and CEO. The appointment takes effect immediately after Hasnie’s departure and provides continuity in the bank’s executive management.
According to an official notification, Abdul Wahid Sethi will serve as Acting President and CEO for a period of three months or until a permanent President and Chief Executive Officer is appointed, whichever occurs earlier. The temporary arrangement places responsibility for the day-to-day affairs and executive oversight of NBP with its existing Chief Financial Officer while the process for selecting the bank’s permanent leadership continues.
The appointment has been made under the requirements of the Corporate Governance Regulatory Framework. The framework provides the basis for maintaining appropriate executive oversight when a senior leadership position becomes vacant and an immediate permanent appointment has not yet been made. Sethi’s designation as acting chief executive therefore ensures that NBP continues to have an authorised executive head during the interim period following the expiration of Hasnie’s tenure.
Sethi has been serving as Chief Financial Officer of National Bank of Pakistan and brings experience from his existing senior position within the institution. His role as CFO has involved responsibilities related to the bank’s financial management and reporting functions, placing him within NBP’s senior management structure before his appointment as Acting President and CEO. His move into the acting leadership position allows the bank to maintain executive continuity through an internal senior management appointment.
Within banking circles, Sethi is regarded as an experienced and capable banking professional, with colleagues highlighting his track record in dealing with complex financial and banking matters. His experience within NBP and familiarity with the institution’s operations are expected to provide continuity while the bank operates under the temporary leadership arrangement. The appointment also allows the bank’s existing management structure to continue functioning during the period before a permanent President and CEO takes charge.
Sethi’s appointment follows the conclusion of Rehmat Ali Hasnie’s tenure as NBP President and CEO on the same day. Hasnie’s term ended on August 21 after the federal government had granted him a temporary two-week extension earlier this month. With his extended tenure now complete, Sethi has assumed the acting position with immediate effect. The interim appointment will remain in place for up to three months unless a permanent President and CEO is appointed sooner, after which the bank’s leadership will transition to the newly appointed permanent chief executive.
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