Kaunain Hassan made new CCP chairperson

ISLAMABAD: The government has appointed Rahat Kaunain Hassan as chairperson of the Competition Commission of Pakistan, bringing an end to apprehensions that political leaders may appoint one of their favourite persons under the influence of various lobbies.

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani appointed Rahat Kaunain Hassan as chairperson of the Competition Commission for three years on the recommendation of the outgoing chairman Khalid Mirza. Mirza completed his three-year term on Monday.

“I had apprehensions that the government may appoint a retired bureaucrat as the head of the corporate watchdog,” said Mirza, adding Kaunain Hassan’s appointment would ensure sustainability of work.

According to him, the biggest challenges for the new chairperson will be implementation of a modern anti-trust law and building the capacity of CCP Secretariat.

Kaunain Hassan has been Member (Legal and Office of Fair Trading) of the CCP since November 2007. She has received Women Achievement Award 2010 for eminent services in the public sector. She has also been nominated for Sitar-e-Imtiaz.

She has an LLM from Kings College London with emphasis on Law of International Finance and International Business Transactions.

Outgoing chairman Khalid Mirza said he faced tremendous pressure from every quarter during his three years in office and is expecting the same for the new chairperson.

He said he had finalised an order against the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association and submitted to the Sindh High Court, adding without the court’s permission he cannot release the order.

The CCP had conducted an inquiry into the affairs of PSMA on charges of collusive behaviour.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2010.