ISLAMABAD:
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is set to begin hearings today (Monday) in a case related to alleged collusion in sugar pricing.
The commission issued notices to the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and its member mills after the case was sent back for rehearing by the Competition Appellate Tribunal.
The CCP has scheduled hearings in the sugar cartelization case for August 4, 5, 6, and 7, directing all concerned parties to nominate their representatives and ensure their availability on the designated dates, along with all relevant evidence and documentation.
Earlier in May, the Competition Appellate Tribunal had returned the case to the CCP for rehearing after announcing its verdict on the appeals filed by the sugar mills and the association against a Rs44b fine.
The tribunal instructed that the case be reheard under the supervision of the CCP chairperson or any other member who was not previously involved in the hearings. The tribunal also ordered the commission to complete the rehearing and issue a verdict within 90 days.
In 2021, the CCP had imposed a Rs44 billion fine on the PSMA and its member mills for forming a cartel to fix sugar prices and engaging in other anti-competitive practices.
