The government has finalised a panel of three senior bureaucrats for the position of Executive Director (ED) at the World Bank. This follows the reappointment of Noor Ahmed to the position at the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) on a temporary basis, according to a report published by The News.
A high-level committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, has shortlisted the candidates and submitted the panel for final approval by Prime Minister Sharif. The committee’s recommendations for the ADB post will be finalized upon Dar’s return from abroad.
The committee has recommended Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division, Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, and Finance Additional Secretary Amjad Mehmood for the World Bank ED position.
While Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal was initially a strong contender, he is now reportedly no longer interested in the role.
The finalised panel for the World Bank post exclusively includes serving civil servants, with no retired officials or private-sector candidates listed. The ED position offers an attractive compensation package of approximately $272,980 annually, tax-free.
Kazim Niaz, currently serving as Economic Affairs Division Secretary, has previously held positions such as Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Khurram Agha, the Interior Secretary, has a strong background in public service, having held roles including Secretary Commerce and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Amjad Mehmood, with 32 years of experience in civil service, has worked with several key financial institutions, including the ADB.
The positions became vacant after Tauqeer Shah left the World Bank to become Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, and Noor Ahmed’s term at ADB ended but was extended temporarily. The ED roles at both the World Bank and ADB are highly prestigious and come with significant influence and compensation.
