One of three senior Finance Ministry officials is set to become Pakistan’s next senior adviser to the executive director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as the government begins the final stage of the appointment process for the key Washington-based post.

The Prime Minister’s Office has formed a ministerial committee to interview the three shortlisted candidates recommended by the Ministry of Finance. The selected official will replace Saifullah Dogar, who has completed his three-year tenure.

Three Officials in the Race

The shortlisted candidates are:

• Maryum Kayani, Joint Secretary (Budget), who previously served in the ministry’s External Finance Wing.
• Moazam Raza, Joint Secretary (External Finance), currently handling IMF-related matters.
• Nadeem Ahsan, Joint Secretary overseeing affairs related to other multilateral lenders.

According to The Express Tribune, the Finance Ministry had backed Maryum Kayani for the role. However, the Prime Minister’s Office decided to have all three candidates interviewed before the final appointment is made.

Current Adviser’s Term Ends

The vacancy arose after Saifullah Dogar completed his three-year term as Pakistan’s senior adviser to the IMF executive director. A proposal to extend his tenure was not approved.

Key Role at the IMF

The senior adviser supports the IMF executive director, who represents Pakistan and seven other countries on the IMF Executive Board. The position involves reviewing IMF policy papers, assisting with financing requests, and contributing to Article IV consultation reports.

Appointment Before IMF Review

The government is expected to finalize the appointment before Pakistan’s fourth review under its $7 billion IMF programme, expected around September 21. The review will also include the IMF’s Article IV consultation, which assesses the country’s overall economic performance and medium-term fiscal outlook.

The government is also expected to begin selecting Pakistan’s next adviser to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. The post rotates between Pakistan and the Philippines. Recently, Special Secretary Finance Nasheeta Mohsin was appointed as Pakistan’s executive director at the ADB.