The post of President/CEO, ZTBL was advertised in the national newspapers on November 11, 2018. In response to the advertisement, 74 applications were received which were scrutinized by a committee headed by Finance Secretary. After assessment of CVs and credentials of all the candidates on the basis of their educational background, quality, relevance, diversity and eminence of their experience, the committee short-listed candidates for consideration of the selection committee.
According to sources, selection committee, comprising Minister for Finance, Asad Umar, Advisor to Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms and Austerity, Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Secretary Finance, Arif Ahmed Khan and Secretary Establishment, Dr. Ijaz Munir interviewed six candidates, both in person and through a video-link, while two candidates did not appear for interview due to personal reasons. The committee assessed the candidates on the basis of their professional knowledge and expertise, leadership qualities and communication skills required for the position of President/CEO, ZTBL.
The committee unanimously recommended the following panel of three persons, in order of the merit, for appointment against the post of President/CEO ZTBL, under the Banks (Nationalization) Act, 1974: (i) Adnan Ghani; (ii) Shahbaz Jameel; and (iii) Sheikh Aman Ullah.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has also been consulted in terms of section 11(3)(a) of the Banks (Nationalization) Act, 1974.
The name of Adnan Ghnai was initially not included by the Central Bank in the panel of professional bankers. His credentials, were, however, re-assessed and his name has been included in the panel. Adnan Ghani has also declared that he has dual nationality. He possesses nationality of United Kingdom since April, 2012.
Ministry of Finance, sources said, has requested the cabinet to consider the three member panel recommended by the selection committee and appoint a suitable candidate as President/ CEO, ZTBL for a period of three years under section 11(3)(a) of the Banks (Nationalization) Act, 1974, subject to fit and proper test clearance by the SBP.
Insiders claim that the complainant Syed Muntazir Mehdi had questioned the appointment of Talat Mehmood as President of ZTBL on a number of grounds. However, the Federal Government terminated his services on October 15, 2018. After removal of Talat Mehmood from ZTBL, Sheikh Amanullah was appointed as acting President ZTBL.
The officials who were fired include Saeed Ahmed, president National Bank of Pakistan (NBP); Tahira Raza, president First Women Bank Ltd (FWBL); Syed Talat, president Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL); and Ehsanul Haq, president Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Bank. The tenure of the NBP president was set to expire on January 1, 2019; president First Women Bank was serving on extension, president ZTBL on April 27, 2018 while president of the SME's tenure ended on Mar 2. 2018.
Finance Minister, Asad Umar wanted all of them to continue till expiry of their extended terms but the federal cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan, terminated their contracts as they were believed to be close associates of former Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar.
