CCP INVESTIGATING CASES TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO CONSUMERS

ISLAMABAD, 9 DECEMBER 2015:

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is investigating a number of cases in various sectors such as poultry, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and food commodities, to provide relief to the consumers and save the businesses from anti-competitive practices.

This was stated by the CCP top officials while addressing a seminar at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI), as part of the National Road Show on Competition Law. After being launched in Islamabad on 4th December 2015, the first round of the Road Show has been completed in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where a positive response has been received. With the seminar in RCCI, the Road Show will cover all the leading chambers of Punjab before entering Sindh.

The seminar was attended by Vadiyya Khalil, the Chairperson, CCP, Mian Humayun Parvez, President RCCI, Shahzad Ansar, Member CCP, Shaista Bano Gilani DG Cartels and Trade Abuses, CCP, Director Noman Laiq Office of the Fair Trade, CCP, Asfandyar Khattak ,Director Advocacy CCP, former presidents, office bearers and members of RCCI and the business community in large number.

In his welcome address, Mian Hamayun Parvez appreciated the work being done by CCP saying that the economy needed a strong competition regime. He urged the business community to get acquainted with the competition rules and regulations and be compliant with the law so as to contribute towards a competitive economy. The President invited the Chairperson to address the upcoming meeting of the Presidents of the all Pakistan chambers of commerce. He also appointed the Chamber’s General Secretary as a focal person to keep a liaison with CCP regarding the competition issues and business compliance.

Addressing the seminar, the CCP Chairperson quoted Quaid-e-Azam, saying: “Traders and merchants will always be welcome and they, in building up their own fortunes, will not forget their social responsibility for a fair and square deal to one and all, big and small. I would like Pakistan to become a synonym and hallmark for standard and quality in the market places of the world…May you, as true Pakistanis, help to reconstruct and build Pakistan to reach a mighty and glorious status amongst the comity of nations of the world.” She said that the Quaid laid stress on the level playing field some seven decades ago, which is also relevant today.

She thanked all participants and said that Competition Act was promulgated in October 2010 was passed by the Parliament, the people's representatives for the people of Pakistan with the main objective to enhance economic efficiency and create a level playing field.

Shaista Bano, DG CCP in her presentation gave an overview of the competition regime in Pakistan and explained the substantive provisions of the Competition Act, 2010. She said that the businesses were worst hit by anti-competitive practices such as the abuse of dominance and cartelization. Not only the businesses and common consumers, but the economy severely suffers as a result of the violations of the Competition Law.

Shahzad Ansar, Member CCP in his presentation on the Office of Fair Trade (OFT), said that the Competition Act protects the consumer from deceptive marketing practices adding that the Competition Act forbids false and deceptive claims having no reasonable basis and the fraudulent use of the trademarks of other undertakings.

During the questions and answers session, the participants raised important issues, particularly in the public procurements, automobiles, and deceptive advertising.

The Chairperson, Competition Commission of Pakistan Vadiyya Khalil addressing the participants of a seminar organized by CCP at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI) in connection with the National Road Show on Competition Law.

The Chairperson, Competition Commission of Pakistan, Vadiyya Khalil, receiving shield from the President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mian Hamayun Parvez after a seminar organized by CCP at RCCI in connection with the National Road Show on Competition Law.