The federal government has completed interviews for the next President of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), with nine candidates considered for the top position, according to sources.

The selection panel, led by the Federal Minister for Finance, interviewed the candidates as part of the process to appoint a successor to the state-owned bank’s current chief.

Those interviewed included Ali Muhammad Mahoon, Farrukh Iqbal, Rehmat Ali Hasni, Hassan Raza, Muhammad Abdullah, Shehram Raza, Mudassar Khan, Zafar Masud, and Imran Sarwar, sources said.

The government will now assess the panel’s recommendations before making a final decision on the appointment.

Rehmat Ali Hasni’s three-year tenure as NBP president ended on August 6. To avoid any disruption at the bank, the federal government has extended his tenure by two weeks pending the appointment of a permanent successor.

The new NBP president is expected to be selected later this week, although the appointment will require approval from the federal cabinet.

The final decision is expected to follow the government’s review of the candidates and recommendations submitted by the interview panel.