Published on: August 29, 2025 1:36 AM
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has emerged as a rare example of how a public sector body can transform itself from dormancy to dynamism.
Once considered sidelined and ineffective, the Commission is now recording landmark disposals, recoveries, and enforcement actions that are reshaping Pakistan’s regulatory landscape.
For years, regulators across Pakistan have pointed to courts and stay orders as the main reason for their lack of enforcement. CCP’s recent record challenges this narrative. By actively pursuing litigation and ensuring effective follow-ups, the Commission has reduced its backlog of pending cases by more than half-an achievement acknowledged on the floor of the Senate.
In just one fiscal year, 224 cases were decided across different forums-more than ever before in CCP’s history. This suggests that the issue was never with the judiciary alone, but with how seriously organizations pursued their cases.
Beyond courtrooms, CCP has revived its enforcement drive. In FY 2024-25, the Commission initiated 24 new inquiries into cartelization and deceptive marketing, while concluding 14 investigations across sectors as varied as steel, transport, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and aviation.
Significant penalties followed. More than PKR 160 million was recovered from entities including DHA, PIA, Pakistan Steel Mills, and Unilever. The Commission also imposed fines exceeding Rs. 1 billion in a single year, marking one of the highest annual enforcement totals.
Part of CCP’s renewed effectiveness lies in proactive monitoring. A dedicated Market Intelligence Unit has been established to identify market distortions, price manipulation, and collusion before they spiral. Already, the unit has flagged over 170 potential violations across sectors, with inquiries underway.
This is complemented by outreach efforts and policy notes aimed at strengthening public understanding of competition law and pushing reforms in key sectors. CCP’s growing visibility signals that it is reclaiming its role not only as an enforcer but also as an advocate for open and fair markets.
The CCP’s resurgence is a reminder that regulatory bodies can deliver when given the right direction and independence.
Pakistan’s markets are often vulnerable to cartelization, deceptive advertising, and abuse of dominance-all of which directly burden consumers through higher prices and fewer choices. A stronger competition watchdog is therefore not just a legal necessity but a public good.
The government, too, appears to recognize this. The finance minister recently noted CCP’s “remarkable progress” and recommended that Parliament be briefed in detail on the scope of reforms achieved.
The turnaround of the CCP is not accidental. It reflects what happens when an institution is guided with professionalism, backed by expertise, and focused on outcomes rather than excuses. Without fanfare, the Commission has shown that even entrenched problems like judicial pendency and cartel enforcement can be addressed.
In an open market economy, the health of regulatory bodies often determines the health of markets themselves.
The CCP Chairman Dr Kabir Sidhu’s performance over the past two years has set a precedent-and quietly underlines the importance of leadership that delivers through results rather than rhetoric.
