PM blocks key bureaucrats from ADB posting, finalises three-member panel for executive director

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided not to relieve key bureaucrats from their current assignments for the overseas posting, as the federal government has finalised a three-member panel for appointment of Pakistan’s new executive director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), The Express Tribune reported, citing sources.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has shortlisted three officers from the Pakistan Administrative Service for the position. The summary will be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval. The shortlisted candidates include Special Secretary Establishment Sarah Saeed, Secretary Health Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh and Special Secretary Finance Nasheeta Mohsin.

If not selected for the ADB position in Manila, Sheikh may be considered for the post of Secretary of Petroleum. Mohsin may be appointed as Pakistan’s senior adviser to the executive director at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, as the tenure of the incumbent adviser Saif Dogar is ending.

Among other aspirants were Secretary Finance Imdad Ullah Bosal, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Rashid Langrial and Secretary Interior Khurram Agha. However, the prime minister decided to retain them in their current roles.

The tenure of the outgoing executive director Noor Ahmed expired last year, but he was granted an extension until appointment of a successor. The position rotates between Pakistan and the Philippines for two years and represents a constituency comprising Kazakhstan, the Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Timor-Leste.

The ADB board, which appoints directors from July 1, decides on policy matters and approves loans for member countries. The institution remains one of Pakistan’s major lenders and plays a role in approving budgetary and project financing.

The new executive director will face the task of maintaining ADB financing lines and increasing long-term lending, as Pakistan’s gross financing needs are estimated at around $25 billion annually. Managing board-level engagements and representing Pakistan’s interests within the seven-country constituency will also be part of the mandate.