CCP asks firms to avoid deceptive marketing

LAHORE: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) asked businesses to avoid deceptive marketing practices at it seminar organised at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on Thursday.
CCP Office of Fair Trade and Advocacy member Dr Shahzad Ansar said that under the Deceptive Marketing Practices Act, the CCP recently fined a paint company for its advertisement campaign. The paint company in its advertisements made the claim of being ‘No 1 in Paints’ without any factual justification, he added.
The seminar aimed to explain the mandate of the Competition Law, the significance of effective implementation for the growth of businesses, consumer protection, and economic progress of the country.
CCP Legal, Cartels and Trade Abuse member Ikram Qureshi gave an overview of the Competition Act, 2010 and the CCP’s enforcement powers. He said that under the Act, CCP can take action against anti-competitive practices such as cartels, abuse of dominant position, and deceptive marketing practices.
The CCP also reviewed mergers and acquisitions that were likely to distort competition in the market.
Qureshi said informed the businessmen that CCP had recently started a number of inquiries against undertakings violating the Competition Law.
The Competition Commission of Pakistan has power to enter and search any premises, if it was deemed necessary for an investigation, he explained.
President of FCCI Rizwan Ashraf urged the business community to strengthen the CCP for effective enforcement of the Competition Law. He said that the Competition Law was to protect the business community from exploitation and to create fair competitive practices.