LHC upholds CCP inquiry against private car manufacturer, orders completion within six months
Pakistan
In its written judgment, the court stated that the CCP has full authority to seek information and initiate inquiries
LAHORE (Muhammad Ashfaq) – The Lahore High Court on Friday upheld the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s (CCP) inquiry against a private car manufacturing company, declaring that keeping an inquiry pending for an extended period goes against the principles of justice.
Justice Raheel Kamran of the LHC issued the verdict on a petition filed by the private automobile company. During the hearing, Barrister Asadullah Chattha presented arguments on behalf of the CCP.
In its written judgment, the court stated that the CCP has full authority to seek information and initiate inquiries. The car manufacturing company had also participated in the Commission’s proceedings from 2018 to 2022. The court further noted that the CCP notices were only meant to obtain information, not to issue any final orders.
The judgment directed the company to provide the required information so the inquiry could be concluded. It emphasized that keeping investigations pending for too long violates the principles of justice, and that gathering market data for oversight is not an illegal act.
The court observed that the CCP’s role is to prevent unfair pricing and anti-competitive practices in the market. The Lahore High Court has now instructed the Competition Commission of Pakistan to complete the inquiry, ongoing since 2018, within six months.
