LAHORE, 26 JANUARY 2016: The participants of a seminar held at the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) were told that trade associations should avoid price fixing and other anti-competitive agreements and should seek guidance and advice from the Competition Commission of Pakistan for better compliance with the Competition Law.

The seminar was held as part of the National Road Show on Competition Law being held by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP). The seminar was attended by Mumshad Ali, Presdient PAAPAM, Tanvir Hayat Mir, Senior Member PAPAM, CCP Members Shahzad Ansar, Ikram Ul Haque Qureshi, CCP Directors Asfandyar Khattak, Syed Umair Javed, and Members of PAPAM.

Mumshad Ali welcomed the CCP delegation by saying that competition plays crucial role in business development as it encourages businessmen to invest in technology to bring innovation. He said PAPAM will work together with CCP in creating awareness about the Competition Law by arranging seminars and other advocacy sessions for its members.

Addressing the participants, CCP Member Shahzad Ansar reiterated CCP’s resolve to work towards the promotion of voluntary compliance of the Competition Law and in this regard, the business community will be taken on board by keeping a regular liaison through focal persons. He said that the objective of CCP’s Road Show is to inform the business community of the benefits of a competitive economy.

Presentations were made by CCP Members on the Competition Law and the participants were briefed on filing complaints with CCP, Merger filings, merger thresholds and other rules and regulations of CCP. A detailed presentation by Ikram Ul Haque Qureshi, Member CCP, gave an overview of Competition Regime in Pakistan and the substantive provisions of the Competition Act, 2010. He informed the participants that compliance with the Competition Law protects businesses from anti-competitive activities and leads to innovation, lawful profits and business development. He encouraged businessmen to approach CCP for taking advice regarding mergers or any other matter related with the Competition Law.

Shahzad Ansar in his presentation on explained the role of the Office of Fair Trading in dealing with deceptive marketing practices. He shared the contact details of CCP to facilitate businessmen to file complaints with CCP regarding deceptive marketing practices.

In the interactive session, the participants highlighted various competition issues and urged CCP to play its role for their resolution.