Background Facts:

The CCP on receipt of the concerns regarding allegedly unreasonable price increases in the private school sector began a probe in the matter in August 2015. The Commission as a part of investigation process, requested Beaconhouse for information on 13.08.2015 and 27.08.2015. In view of failure to provide the required information, Beaconhouse was issued a special order under Section 36 of the competition Act, 2010.

Beaconhouse filed a writ petition before Lahore High Court, Lahore assailing both the commission’s constitutional legitimacy and authority to issue RFI. Lahore High court in its order dated 1.10.2015, directed the commission to determine the jurisdiction to loo into the matter before proceeding further with Special Order. Commission in compliance of the Lahore High Court Order held a hearing on 20th Oct 2015 before the Commission.

Order:

The Commission considered the constitutional, legal and procedural objections in detail and held that the impugned proceedings have been initiated well within the scope of the Commission’s jurisdiction as defined under the act.