ISLAMABAD: Minister for Privatisation Mohammad Mian Soomro has resigned as chairman of the Privatisation Commission. He, however, will continue performing as minister for privatisation.

The prime minister has accepted the resignation of Mr Soomro.

According to a notification issued by the Establishment Division, the government has appointed Saleem Ahmad as new chairman of the Privatisation Commission with immediate effect and until further orders. He has assumed his new responsibility.

Mr Ahmad is a globally recognised finance professional with a distinguished hedge fund, private equity, venture capital and investment banking career spanning over two decades. Before joining the Privatisation Commission, Mr Ahmad was managing director at JP Morgan’s multi-billion-dollar hedge fund business, Highbridge Capital, where he managed a global investment portfolio.

He has structured Shariah-compliant financings for Pakistan’s critical infrastructure projects and restructured Pakistan’s sovereign debt.

Additionally, Mr Ahmad pioneered a microfinance programme as an extension of the research done at LUMS and Grameen Bank.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2022