Reza Baqir

Reza Baqir is a Pakistani economist who has been serving as the 20th and current Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan since 2019.

Baqir graduated from Harvard University and later obtained a PhD in economics at the University of California, Berkeley.

Reza Baqir has eighteen years of experience with the IMF and two years with the World Bank. He was the Head of the IMF's Office in Egypt and Senior Resident Representative since August 2017. He has also held positions as IMF Mission Chief for Romania and Bulgaria, Division Chief of the IMF's Debt Policy Division, Head of the IMF delegation to the Paris Club, Deputy Division Chief of the IMF's Emerging Markets Division, IMF Resident Representative to the Philippines, and numerous other positions.

In 2019, President Arif Alvi appointed Baqir governor of the State Bank of Pakistan for a period of three years. The appointment took place a day after his predecessor Tariq Bajwa was unexpectedly removed from his post.

On his appointment, a lot of people objected his appointment on account of his previous association with IMF. just close to his appointment, Pakistan had entered into a USD 6 billion IMF program and had opted for correction measures as suggested by IMF. It was said by the opposing groups that the appointment of Reza Baqir is also on account of pressure from IMF.

• International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ex-Officio Alternate Member of the Board of Governors (since 2019)