ISLAMABAD-As the constitutional deadline for appointing Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is approaching fast, a top official of the central bank has started lobbying to grab the top slot, it has been learnt on Tuesday.
Sources said that Acting Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Ashraf Mahmood Wathra is active to become full-fledge Governor of the central bank for next three years. However, he did not share anything with the media when he was asked to make comment on it. “Media should not make any speculation on this issue in the larger national interest”, Ashraf Mahmood Wathra told the reporters at parliament house.
The government has left with seven days (before April 30) to appoint the new Governor of the central bank under the law. According to the SBP act 1956, the federal government has to appoint the new governor before April 30 2014. 
The slot was vacated on January 30 2014 when former Governor SBP Yaseen Anwar resigned from the post due to serious differences with the Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar over the economic policies. Therefore, the government is bound to appoint the new Governor SBP within three months after the post vacant.
The Finance Ministry has expedited the process when deadline is approaching, as it is preparing a summary of three names for the post of Governor State Bank of Pakistan, which will be moved to Prime Minister for approval of one name.
“The Finance Ministry has not moved the summary to the Prime Minister for the appointment of Governor SBP”, said Rana Asad Amin, advisor and spokesperson of the Finance Ministry while talking to The Nation. However, sources confirmed that ministry is working on the summary.
The government is considering few names for the slot. However, acting Governor Ashraf Mahmood Wathra and Auragzeb Khan, a relative of a retired judge, are most favorite candidates for post of Governor SBP. Sources informed that government is feeling comfortable with working with Ashraf Mahmood Wathra and it may appoint him as governor. But Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif will take final decision in this regard.
It is worth mentioning here that Ashraf Mahmood Wathra is working as acting Governor SBP from February 1 when the slot was vacated. According to the SBP Act 1956, “At any time when the office of governor is vacant, the federal government may appoint an acting governor provided that the office of governor shall be filled within a period not exceeding three months.”