Zohran Mamdani picks Lina Khan to help him run New York

ISLAMABAD: Newly elected New York mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Pakistani-American legal scholar Lina Maliha Khan to co-chair the city’s transition team.

Mamdani, 34, will become the first Muslim and South Asia–born leader of New York City when he takes office on January 1, 2026. Khan, 39, a former chairperson of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), brings deep expertise in antitrust law and consumer protection. She will co-lead the transition alongside three seasoned New York City Hall veterans.

In her statement, Lina Khan noted that during her tenure at the FTC under President Joe Biden, she pushed for tougher scrutiny of corporate mergers and targeted exploitative practices such as “junk fees.” She also worked to curb mandatory arbitration clauses that limit consumer rights, earning broad recognition from advocates of stronger corporate accountability.

Khan maintained a firm stance toward Big Tech platforms including Amazon and Google, often sparking tensions within Silicon Valley. Her efforts to advance fairness and competition were acknowledged even across political lines, with current US Vice President Vance had also praised her for ensuring that corporate giants adhered to consumer-rights standards expected by the public.