Mariam Kayani appointed adviser to IMF Executive Director in Washington
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has appointed Mariam Kayani, a BPS-20 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, as adviser to the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund in Washington.
Kayani, who is currently serving as joint secretary in the Finance Division, will take up the assignment on a three-year deputation. She was picked by a ministerial committee from three shortlisted officers and will replace Saifullah Dogar, whose tenure has ended.
The posting places a Pakistani official inside the IMF’s decision-making structure at a time when the Fund’s engagement with Pakistan remains intense. Islamabad and the IMF recently reached a staff-level agreement for a $1.2 billion tranche, and the government’s economic team is in regular contact with Fund staff over reforms.
Kayani brings 18 years of experience in public administration. She is a Humphrey Fellow and an Australia Awards scholar, and holds FCA and ACCA qualifications along with a law degree, a combination of financial and legal training that fits the technical demands of the IMF role.
What the adviser to the IMF Executive Director does
Pakistan holds a seat on the IMF’s Executive Board through a constituency arrangement, and the adviser’s office in Washington supports the Executive Director on board deliberations, programme reviews and policy discussions affecting member countries in the group.
For Pakistan, having its own officer in that office means closer coordination during reviews of the country’s IMF programme and a direct channel into the Fund’s thinking on fiscal, monetary and structural benchmarks.
Mariam Kayani’s career across finance and administration
Kayani’s selection from a shortlist of three by a ministerial committee points to a competitive process. Officers chosen for such foreign postings are typically drawn from the senior ranks of the civil service, and the three-year deputation is among the most sought-after assignments for economic managers.
Her background spans public financial management and administration, and her professional accountancy qualifications add weight to her profile at a moment when the IMF’s focus on Pakistan centres on revenue mobilisation, energy sector reform and governance.
FAQ
Who is Mariam Kayani?
A BPS-20 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, currently joint secretary in the Finance Division, with 18 years of public administration experience.
What is her new role?
Adviser to the IMF Executive Director in Washington, on a three-year deputation. She replaces Saifullah Dogar.
How was she selected?
A ministerial committee selected her from three shortlisted officers.
