BUSINESSES CAUTIONED AGAINST DECEPTIVE MARKETING PRACTICES

HYDERABAD, 12 JANUARY 2016

Deceptive marketing practices and deceptive claims made by companies in advertising of products not only harm the consumers but also inflict financial losses on the competing businesses that are deprived of their genuine and lawful profits, said speakers at a seminar at the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The seminar was organized by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) at the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (HCCI) in connection with the National Road Show on Competition Law. The seminar was attended by Senior Vice President HCCI Turab Ali Khwaja, CCP Members Shahzad Ansar, Ikram Ul Haque Qureshi, Mueen Batlay, Director General International Affairs Ahmed Qadir and Director Advocacy & Media Asfandyar Khattak, HCCI vice president, vice president, members of the executive committee and the business community in large number.

In his welcome address, the senior Vice President HCCI Turab Ali Khwaja said that competition law protects both consumers and business from anti-competitive practices adding that businessmen should understand and comply with the law. He welcomed the National Road Show being carried out by CCP saying that it will create the much needed awareness among businessmen.

CCP Member OFT and Advocacy Shahzad Ansar in his remarks said that the enforcement of Competition Law is the prerequisite of the economic progress of the country therefore, the businessmen to come forward and assist CCP in the enforcement and creating awareness of the law.

The participants of the seminar were briefed on the importance of Competition Law enforcement for creating a level playing field for businesses, the salient features of the law, and the benefits drawn by the consumers after getting protected from anti-competitive practices.

Ikram Ul Haque Qureshi, Member CCP, in his presentation explained the substantive provisions of the Competition Act, 2010 and briefed the participants on the do’s and don’ts under the Competition Law. He said the Competition Law creates a level playing field for all businesses by removing entry barriers and discouraging discriminatory policies. He urged the business community to approach the CCP to assist CCP in identifying competition issues.

Shahzad Ansar in his presentation on explained the role of the Office of Fair Trading in dealing with deceptive marketing practices. He shared the contact details of CCP to facilitate businessmen to file complaints with CCP regarding deceptive marketing practices.

DG International Affairs CCP, Ahmed Qadir briefed the participants on the concept of Competition as evolved internationally and informed that over 120 countries of the world have adopted modern competition laws. In the interactive session, the participants highlighted various competition issues and urged CCP to play its role for their resolution

CCP Member Shahzad Ansar addressing a seminar at the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry organized by the Competition Commission of Pakistan in connection with the National Road Show on Competition Law.