The Chairman, Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), Khalid Mirza, has said that Competition Ordinance, 2009 is the single, most significant charter for the protection of the consumer from anti-competitive behavior. “Competition Ordinance, 2009 is a sort of “Magna Carta” for protecting the consumer from exploitation”, the Chairman Khalid Mirza said while addressing a seminar, “Putting the Consumer First”, organized by the Helpline Trust in Karachi today. “There is considerable empirical evidence to show that competition in the marketplace is beneficial for consumers and good for business. Competition between different companies and individuals through free enterprise and open markets is the basis of a robust economy ─ the US and European economies are prime examples of healthy economies where competition has been a key driver,” the Chairman Mirza said adding that when firms compete with each other, consumers get the best possible prices, quantity, and quality of goods and services. “Antitrust laws encourage companies to compete so that both consumers and businesses benefit.” He maintained that if the operational provisions in the law were properly implemented, that would effectively protect the consumer from anti-competitive behaviour as well as benefit the consumer by way of enhanced productive efficiency arising out of greater competition on a level playing field. “Actions against abuse by undertakings dominant in the market as well as action against instances of collusive behavior or cartelization are certainly beneficial for the consumer, and the benefits derived are both direct and indirect.” Equally beneficial and protective for the consumer are actions against deceptive marketing practices the impact of which are usually more direct and obvious. I would like to talk about this a little bit because I feel this is important. The Chairman CCP mentioned that the Commission has, over the past two years of its existence, successfully implemented the competition law in its entirety and this has been recognized in global competition forums and networks. “We are being acknowledged as a model by other developing countries.” As a consequence of these actions, Khalid Mirza said, is that it is facing a lot of bitter opposition to the law from those that have been adversely affected or are likely to be adversely affected by the Commission’s proactive measures in favour of the consumer and the common man. “A variety of mafias and vested interests ─ which include some of the parties against whom we have acted or proceeded against ─ are doing their best to either effectively destroy the law or weaken the Commission. The big question is: will they succeed? I have seen in many countries that people against the competition regime are powerful and voluble whereas those supporting it are weak, lukewarm and very much less vocal. It is imperative that the media, the civil society, right-thinking business elements, and above all, our government, understand the benefits of this law to the country and our economy, and lend full support to its continued enforcement in its present shape and form,” the Chairman Khalid Mirza said.
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