Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has appointed Ashraf Mahmood Wathra, Deputy Governor, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), as Acting Governor of the bank till further orders.
SBP Governor Yaseen Anwar has been directed to hand over the charge to Ashraf Mahmood Wathra upon close of business hours on Friday.
He resigned on Thursday citing personal reasons. “There are some personal reasons and, particularly, a recent injury to my son has compelled me to move and stay together with my family especially after having serving at the SBP for almost seven years as governor and deputy governor,” Anwar was quoted as having said.
Analysts said after resignation of Yaseen Anwar, long-drawn confusion over fiscal policy in Pakistan would come to an end. “His resignation was expected because of political change in the government,” said Taha Khan, head of research at Taurus Securities.
The appointment came after the federal government accepted the resignation of Yaseen Anwar – the outgoing governor. According to the SBP spokesperson, Anwar had resigned for personal reasons. “He wanted to give more time to his family after his son was seriously injured in a road accident,” Siddiqui said.
Sources, however, said Anwar decided to quit after he found himself unable to get along with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
He resigned from the post after he was assured that he would not be barred from leaving the country, sources added. Anwar’s family is settled in Singapore.
Anwar was appointed SBP governor in July 2011 after former SBP governor Shahid Kardar stepped down from the position amidst rumours that he had developed differences with the ministry of finance. Kardar’s predecessor, Saleem Raza, had also resigned after only 16 months in the office.
However, responding to the concern registered by members of Senate standing committee on finance, revenue and economic affairs during their meeting with heads of commercial banks of the country at SBP head office, Yaseen Anwar dispelled the impression that his early retirement, on request, was due to any misgivings.
“I am leaving seven months prior to my due retirement date purely because of personal reasons,” said Yasin Anwer. He said his association with the SBP was challenging and fulfilling yet tiring.
