Chairman of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), Farid Ahmad Tarar, has said that greater awareness of competition law and a clear understanding of the Commission's mandate are essential for fostering a transparent, competitive and investment-friendly business environment in Pakistan. Addressing an awareness session organised by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Tuesday, the Chairman said that effective competition is fundamental to economic growth, innovation and consumer welfare. He noted that awareness initiatives such as this help businesses better understand their legal obligations, encourage voluntary compliance and promote a culture of fair competition. Mr. Tarar said effective enforcement alone is insufficient to build a competitive economy. "Awareness, education and stakeholder engagement are the most effective means of preventing violations before they occur," he said, adding that voluntary compliance is fundamental to fostering a fair, competitive and investment-friendly business environment. He noted that the Commission is expanding its competition advocacy initiatives through academia, chambers of commerce, trade associations and other stakeholders to build a stronger culture of compliance. The Chairman said the Commission's enforcement actions are intended to deter anti-competitive conduct and create a level playing field for businesses. He noted that interventions in sectors including sugar, cement and consumer goods have helped discourage collusive behaviour, improve market discipline and strengthen consumer protection. He added that the CCP is also preparing to address emerging competition challenges in digital markets and e-commerce to ensure Pakistan's competition regime remains aligned with international best practices. Welcoming the participants, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood described the Chamber's partnership with the Competition Commission of Pakistan as an investment in Pakistan's economic future, saying that a competitive marketplace promotes innovation, attracts investment and strengthens consumer confidence, all of which are essential for sustainable economic growth. He reaffirmed ICCI's commitment to promoting awareness of competition law, strengthening institutional collaboration and fostering continuous engagement between regulators and the private sector. Earlier, senior CCP officials, Dr. Ikram ul Haq (DG Market Intelligence Unit), Ms. Marryum Pervaiz (Secretary to the Commission), Mr. Salman Zafar (DG OFT), Ms. Maliha Quddus (Director C&TA), gave presentations on the key provisions of the Competition Act, the Commission's mandate, enforcement framework and complaint mechanisms. The session concluded with an interactive discussion during which participants exchanged views on Pakistan's competition regime, consumer protection, regulatory compliance and the Commission's future reform agenda. Among those present were ICCI Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub, who moderated the session, Vice President Muhammad Irfan Chaudhry, former President Basir Dawood, Executive Members Zulqurnain Abbasi and Waseem Chaudhry, former Senior Vice Presidents Naveed Malik and Khalid Chaudhry, former Vice Presidents Ashfaq Ahmad Chattah and Akhunzada Faheem, along with a large number of business leaders and Chamber members.
Chairman of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), Farid Ahmad Tarar, has said that greater awareness of competition law and a clear understanding of the Commission's mandate are essential for fostering a transparent, competitive and investment-friendly business environment in Pakistan.
Addressing an awareness session organised by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Tuesday, the Chairman said that effective competition is fundamental to economic growth, innovation and consumer welfare. He noted that awareness initiatives such as this help businesses better understand their legal obligations, encourage voluntary compliance and promote a culture of fair competition.
Mr. Tarar said effective enforcement alone is insufficient to build a competitive economy. "Awareness, education and stakeholder engagement are the most effective means of preventing violations before they occur," he said, adding that voluntary compliance is fundamental to fostering a fair, competitive and investment-friendly business environment. He noted that the Commission is expanding its competition advocacy initiatives through academia, chambers of commerce, trade associations and other stakeholders to build a stronger culture of compliance.
The Chairman said the Commission's enforcement actions are intended to deter anti-competitive conduct and create a level playing field for businesses. He noted that interventions in sectors including sugar, cement and consumer goods have helped discourage collusive behaviour, improve market discipline and strengthen consumer protection. He added that the CCP is also preparing to address emerging competition challenges in digital markets and e-commerce to ensure Pakistan's competition regime remains aligned with international best practices.
Welcoming the participants, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood described the Chamber's partnership with the Competition Commission of Pakistan as an investment in Pakistan's economic future, saying that a competitive marketplace promotes innovation, attracts investment and strengthens consumer confidence, all of which are essential for sustainable economic growth. He reaffirmed ICCI's commitment to promoting awareness of competition law, strengthening institutional collaboration and fostering continuous engagement between regulators and the private sector.
Earlier, senior CCP officials, Dr. Ikram ul Haq (DG Market Intelligence Unit), Ms. Marryum Pervaiz (Secretary to the Commission), Mr. Salman Zafar (DG OFT), Ms. Maliha Quddus (Director C&TA), gave presentations on the key provisions of the Competition Act, the Commission's mandate, enforcement framework and complaint mechanisms. The session concluded with an interactive discussion during which participants exchanged views on Pakistan's competition regime, consumer protection, regulatory compliance and the Commission's future reform agenda.
Among those present were ICCI Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub, who moderated the session, Vice President Muhammad Irfan Chaudhry, former President Basir Dawood, Executive Members Zulqurnain Abbasi and Waseem Chaudhry, former Senior Vice Presidents Naveed Malik and Khalid Chaudhry, former Vice Presidents Ashfaq Ahmad Chattah and Akhunzada Faheem, along with a large number of business leaders and Chamber members.
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