Pakistan's Competition Commission
Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) was established on 2nd October, 2007 under the Competition Ordinance, 2007 (the “Ordinance”) as a quasi judicial, quasi regulatory, law enforcement agency having a specialized umbrella jurisdiction over the economy as a whole. The Ordinance repealed Monopolies Restrictive Trade Practices (Control and Prevention) Ordinance, 1970 (MRTPO) and replaced the old style Monopoly Control Authority (MCA) by CCP, a modern agency — a five Members collegiate body.
Major aim of this Ordinance is to provide for a legal framework to create a business environment based on healthy competition towards improving economic efficiency, developing competitiveness and protecting consumers from anti-competitive practices.
Although this organization has been established only recently (almost sixteen months old) it has been very proactive; CCP activities in such a short span include:
• Some landmark decisions re: Pakistan Banking Association and six banks penalized for cartelization, a leading telecom company found guilty of SIM locking and product tying, an educational institution found guilty of tying computer sales to admissions, Fauji Fertilizer/Fauji Bin Qasim — delinked by ensuring appointment of independent directors, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Pakistan — ICAP penalized for minimum fee fixing, stock exchanges penalized for discriminatory floor imposition,
• Important proceedings underway re: Karachi Stock Exchange abuse of dominance, National Refinery’s refusal to deal, cement manufacturers cartelization, Karachi Port Trust’s collusive tendering, and Secretary APCMA obstruction matter. Cartelization and exclusionary conduct in Liquid Petroleum Gas sector, Newspapers cartelization, deceptive advertising by four banks, deceptive advertising by two cellular companies.
• Extensive and focused advocacy efforts (assisted by a small DFID/WB grant) CCP has held six seminars (two with international competition experts) and innumerable bilateral/roundtable deliberations with sector-specific regulators, lawyers, business leaders, and professional bodies.
