The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) ramped up enforcement activities during the financial year 2024–25, launching investigations across a wide range of sectors to counter cartelization, abuse of dominance, and deceptive marketing practices.
The CCP initiated 24 new inquiries, including 11 related to alleged cartel behaviour and 13 concerning misleading marketing tactics. A total of 14 investigations were concluded and referred to adjudication. The inquiries spanned various sectors such as e-commerce, telecommunications, aviation, steel, transport, edible oil, pharmaceuticals, construction, commodities, and education.
The Cartel and Trade Abuse Department opened 11 new inquiries while continuing 10 from previous years. Nine were concluded and moved forward for adjudication. Among these was a case involving ten steel structure suppliers accused of bid rigging in tenders floated by power distribution companies. Another inquiry focused on two major flat steel producers suspected of price collusion.
In the transport sector, proceedings were launched against the Transporters Goods Association and the Local Goods Transport Association for allegedly fixing freight charges from Port Qasim. The Commission also investigated cable manufacturers for enforcing resale price maintenance by barring dealers from offering discounts below the notified rates.
Separately, the Office of Fair Trade initiated 13 new probes into deceptive marketing, while continuing eight pending cases. Five investigations were completed, involving sectors such as pharmaceuticals, construction, commodities, and education. These included cases against AR Amreli Builders for unauthorised use of a competitor’s trademark, Panther Tyres for misleading branding, and FS Cosmetics for replicating Dabur Amla’s product packaging.
CCP Chairman Dr. Kabir Sidhu said anti-competitive practices such as cartelization and misleading advertising undermine consumer protection and healthy market competition. He reiterated the Commission’s zero-tolerance stance and its commitment to enforcement.
