The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) held an awareness session on Competition Law at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), to educate students on the principles of fair market competition and consumer protection.
The session began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by welcome remarks from Dr. Aziz-ur-Rehman, Director, School of Law, QAU, who highlighted the importance of Competition Law in promoting fair practices, protecting consumers, and encouraging innovation. He also commended the CCP’s efforts in creating a competitive and transparent business environment in Pakistan.
Marryum Pervaiz, Secretary to the Commission and Head of Advocacy, presented an overview of the CCP’s legal and regulatory framework, mandate, and functions. She explained how competition encourages efficiency, innovation, and fair pricing, ultimately benefiting both businesses and consumers.
Salman Zafar, Senior Director, Finance, Cartel & Trade Abuse Department, gave a detailed presentation on Sections 3 and 4 of the Competition Act, 2010, explaining prohibited agreements and abuse of dominant position. He shared case studies on cartelization and bid rigging, outlining CCP’s enforcement procedures and their impact on market transparency.
Later, Marryum Pervaiz also elaborated on Sections 10 and 11 of the Act, covering deceptive marketing practices and mergers & acquisitions, with examples of misleading advertisements and corporate consolidations reviewed by the Commission.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Javed Iqbal, Director, School of Economics, QAU, appreciated CCP’s role in safeguarding fair competition and urged the Commission to expand its focus on deceptive marketing in digital and e-commerce spaces. He emphasized the need for continued collaboration between academia and regulatory bodies to strengthen the culture of competition in Pakistan.
The session concluded with an engaging discussion where students and faculty exchanged views on how competition laws contribute to building a fair and growth-oriented economy.
