LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday upheld the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s (CCP) ongoing inquiry against a private automobile company, ruling that keeping investigations pending for an extended period violates the principles of justice.
Justice Raheel Kamran issued the verdict while hearing a petition filed by the car manufacturer, which had challenged the CCP’s inquiry. Barrister Asadullah Chattha represented the CCP during the proceedings.
Read More: CCP devises enforcement policy measures to target cartelization
In its written order, the court affirmed that the CCP possesses full authority to seek information and initiate inquiries into market practices. It further noted that the company had actively participated in the Commission’s proceedings from 2018 to 2022, and the CCP’s notices were issued merely to obtain data, not to pass any final orders.
The judgment directed the automobile firm to submit the required information to facilitate the completion of the inquiry. It also highlighted that prolonged delays in such cases undermine justice, while emphasizing that collecting market data for regulatory oversight does not constitute an illegal act.
Read More: CCP inquiry reveals cartelization, price fixing in milk sector
Reiterating the CCP’s role in ensuring fair competition and preventing price manipulation, the LHC instructed the Commission to conclude the investigation within six months, bringing the long-running case closer to resolution.