ISLAMABAD, October 28, 2024: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) hosted an advocacy session with the Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP) to promote self-regulation and enhance compliance with Competition Law, with a particular emphasis on addressing deceptive marketing practices.
The session was led by Ms. Bushra Naz Malik, a member of the CCP, alongside senior officials including Mr. Shahzad Hussain, Director General, and Mr. Qasim Khan, Senior Joint Director. CAP was represented by key figures such as Mr. Tariq Mehboob, Co-Founder and Patron-in-Chief; Mr. Asfandyar Farrukh, Co-Founder and Chairman; and Mr. Ahsen Mahmood, Senior Vice Chairman.
During the session, Ms. Malik reaffirmed the CCP’s commitment to fostering fair competition across various sectors. She announced that sector-specific guidelines would soon be released to strengthen compliance within the retail industry.
Additionally, she stressed the importance of raising awareness and building capacity among retail sector stakeholders regarding Competition Law.
Mr. Mehboob highlighted the substantial economic impact of CAP, which represents over 150 retail businesses generating more than PKR 2000 billion in annual revenue. He addressed the challenges faced by CAP members, particularly the need for increased awareness of anti-competitive practices, such as deceptive claims and misleading discounts, to avoid financial penalties and reputational damage.
Mr. Farrukh emphasized the importance of training and awareness initiatives led by the CCP, which would help CAP members align their business strategies with Competition Law.
The CCP and CAP agreed to continue their partnership, aiming to cultivate a competitive and compliant retail landscape that benefits both the economy and consumers.