CCP cracks down on anti-competitive practices in FY25

July 07, 2025 (MLN): To promote fair competition in Pakistan's markets, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) undertook strong enforcement actions during the fiscal year 2024–25, focusing on cartelization, abuse of dominant position, and deceptive marketing practices.

The Commission launched 24 new inquiries, 11 concerning cartelization and 13 related to deceptive marketing.

Fourteen investigations were concluded and sent for adjudication, as per the press release issued today.

The sectors investigated included e-commerce, telecommunications, aviation, steel, transport, edible ghee and cooking oil, pharmaceuticals, construction, commodities, and education.

The Cartel and Trade Abuse Department initiated 11 new inquiries into various sectors such as gas, edible oil, and aviation.

It also continued work on 10 ongoing cases from previous periods and successfully concluded 9 inquiries.

One major case involved ten steel structure suppliers suspected of bid rigging in tenders by power distribution companies (DISCOs), while another focused on alleged price fixing by two flat steel manufacturers.

In the transport sector, cases were initiated against the Transporters Goods Association (TGA) and the Local Goods Transport Association (LGTA) for allegedly fixing freight rates from Port Qasim.

In the cables industry, leading companies were investigated for prohibiting dealers from offering discounts below notified prices, which falls under the scope of Resale Price Maintenance (RPM) and is considered a prohibited agreement.

Meanwhile, the CCP’s Office of Fair Trade (OFT) launched 13 new inquiries into deceptive marketing, while continuing work on 8 pending cases from the previous year.

Five investigations were successfully concluded two in the pharmaceutical sector and one each in the construction, commodities, and education sectors.

Noteworthy cases included AR Amreli Builders for unauthorized use of the Amreli Steels trademark and Panther Tyres for allegedly claiming to be “Pakistan’s No. 1 Tyre.”

FS Cosmetics was also investigated for copying Dabur Amla Hair Oil packaging and making misleading product claims.

CCP Chairman Dr. Kabir Sidhu reaffirmed the Commission’s zero-tolerance policy, stating that cartelization, abuse of dominance, and deceptive marketing harm consumers and fair competition. He emphasized the CCP’s commitment to strict enforcement against such practices.

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