MediaBites published its “Kaun Banega Crorepati” report on the race to lead the National Bank of Pakistan. The president has now been named, his compensation approved, and the real work begins. We have shared our questions with President Imran Sarwar and await his response, which we will publish in full as received.
WEBDESK – MEDIABITES – MAIN SOURCE: BR
The shareholders of National Bank of Pakistan have approved a compensation package for the bank’s new President and CEO, Imran Sarwar, effective from September 9, 2026, when he assumed office. The package runs through 2029 and was approved under Section 11(3)(a) of the Banks (Nationalization) Act, 1974.
Sarwar will receive a gross monthly salary of Rs 9.5 million, a variable annual performance bonus tied to key performance indicators approved by shareholders and evaluated by the board, and a house rent allowance of Rs 1 million per month.
His perks include utilities, two residential telephones, two mobile phones with bills covered at actual cost, and a security arrangement of four guards on 12-hour shifts at his residence, along with Rs150,000 per month for five domestic help staff.
The company has allocated two vehicles: one up to 3,500cc and a second from the bank’s pool. On expiry of his contract, Sarwar may purchase the primary vehicle at 10% of the cost or written-down value, whichever is higher. The company will provide two drivers or reimburse Rs 45,000 per driver per month.
The package also includes 30 days of annual leave and 18 days of casual or sick leave per year, with up to 90 days of accumulated annual leave encashable at last drawn gross salary. The bank will provide a generator facility worth up to Rs1.5 million at his residence, along with full medical and dental coverage for him and his dependents in Pakistan, and a life insurance cover of Rs30 million, split equally between the CEO and the bank.
Gratuity is set at one month’s last drawn gross salary per year of service. The bank will pay entry and subscription fees for up to three clubs.
The package is fixed for the contract term. If the bank terminates the agreement before expiry, Sarwar will be paid for the remaining term. If he resigns, he will serve a three-month gardening leave as notice.
Sarwar brings 36 years of banking experience across corporate, institutional, investment, and risk management, in both Pakistan and international markets. He previously served as Group Executive and Chief Risk Officer at United Bank Limited, and held senior positions at Standard Chartered Bank, including Managing Director and Head of Corporate Banking for the UAE. He has also served on the boards of Khushhali Microfinance Bank and the Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Company.
Our questions for President Imran Sarwar
MediaBites raised the following questions with the NBP President’s office. We hope to receive a response shortly and will publish it in full.
With a compensation package of this scale and a mandate through 2029, what specific, measurable service-quality targets has President Sarwar committed to for NBP’s 1,503 branches and 15,000-plus employees?
NBP has long trailed private banks such as HBL, MCB, UBL, and Meezan Bank on customer experience. What concrete steps will the new leadership take in the first 100 days to close that gap in a way ordinary account holders will actually feel?
The performance bonus in the package is tied to key performance indicators approved by shareholders. Will those KPIs be made public, and will customer satisfaction scores form part of the framework?
Government employment protections have historically limited accountability for underperforming staff. How does President Sarwar plan to build a culture where branch-level service quality is genuinely connected to career outcomes?
Sarwar’s background spans corporate, institutional and risk functions at UBL and Standard Chartered. How does he intend to translate that experience into improvements for the retail customer who walks into an NBP branch today?
NBP serves 220 million Pakistanis, many of whom have no alternative banking option. What standard of service does the new President believe every NBP customer deserves, and how will he hold the institution to it?
MediaBites has reached out to the NBP President’s office and invites a full response, which we will publish as received.
