Govt Gives NBP’s Charge to Highly Controversial Rehmat Ali Hasnie

The federal government has given the Look After Charge of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) President to Group Chief-CIBG Rehmat Ali Hasnie. According to a notification from the Ministry of Finance, on completion of three months extended period of President NBP Arif Usmani, the competent authority, Finance Division assigned the look after charge of the post of president/CEO NBP to Group Chief-CIBG Rehmat Ali Hasnie being the senior-most executive of the bank to dispose of routine/day to day affairs of the bank with effect from May 12, 2022, till joining of the regular incumbent. According to documents available with ProPakistani, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had also started an investigation to probe illegal appointments in NBP. At the time, the accountability bureau had directed NBP to furnish details of 20 officers including Rehmat Ali Hasnie.   The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had also raised audit objections against Hasnie, stating that he got a promotion to the rank of SEVP by cheating/misstatement, sources told ProPakistani. Official sources quoting the audit report of SBP stated that Hasnie was rejected in internal placement and against the same vacancy advertisement, he applied as an external candidate while being EVP of NBP. He joined NBP on 25-01-2010 as Senior Vice President and was promoted to “Executive Vice President” vide meeting dated 18-12-2012 with promotion effective from 25-01-2013. Following were lacunas in his promotion as EVP, according to SBP: The sources added that the story of unauthorized and out-of-turn promotions does not end here. Hasni was promoted as SEVP on 10-10-2016 in violation of President Office Circular No 07/12 dated 31-05-2012 as no interviews for elevation were conducted. He was actually “hired” (again) for the position of SEVP. Following are the issues, and illegalities in his appointment as SEVP: The Board of Directors in their meeting dated 10-10 2016 approved the above recommendations by violating a number of policies, principles, and regulations. Further, the Investment Banking Group used as a Special Purpose Vehicle for the promotion of Hasni was abolished in December 2019 and he was made the Group Chief of Inclusive Development Group (IDG) handling housing, SE, ME and Commercial Business whereas per his CV he had no experience. Further, it is pertinent to mention that the IDG remained continuously in loss, added the sources.