Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) Chairman Khalid Mirza disclosed on Wednesday that he has been receiving life threat and pressure in the efforts aimed at putting an end to the industrial cartelisation in Pakistan. Addressing a function of LEJA at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the chairman CCP said the laws relating to competition environment were available in the country with loose ends, giving ample loopholes for the corrupt to escape.
He said the CCP is meant for public relief by breaking the monopolies of different mafias in the country. He said that some elements having vested interest were unhappy over action of the CCP against mafia. On sugar scam, Mirza said the inquiry reports about raids at sugar mills associations' office and ascertaining production cost of sugar had already been submitted to the relevant forums including the apex court.
The sugar mills association had requested for a soft treatment under Section 39 of the Competition Ordinance. The next date of hearing was set for November 26, he added. It may be noted that a three-member bench of the commission, headed by CCP Chairman Khalid Mirza and comprising Abdul Ghafoor and Rahat Kunain Hasan, was hearing the case. By seeking an extension under Section 39 of the Leniency Clause, PSMA had admitted that it did not intend to contest the charges.
Mirza further said that the Competition Ordinance had not so far been passed by the Assembly, as it is with National Assembly Standing Committee. He was of the view that this law was of international standard but some circles wanted amendments in it for the protection of their vested interests.
"It is unfortunate that Ordinance on CCP was likely to lapse on November 28, as the National Assembly session had been prorogued without its passage. If the economic planners sincerely desire to operate the economy under the concept of free market economy, an effective institution was a must. If we want sustained and equitable growth we would have to operate in a responsible way by ensuring level playing field to all," he added.
He was of the view that prudent way would have been to get it passed through the parliament in its present form and make further improvement later. He hoped that the president would promulgate the ordinance again as soon as it lapses on November 28. "Opponents of this law are very strong and influential while the CCP has accepted their challenge and would continue to work according to the spirit of competition law," he said.
He also said world Competition Control Institutions were working under the Federal Government but there was a proposal that these institutions be put under provincial control.
To a question, he said country's image would be damaged, if major changes were made in this law. "If the Competition Ordinance lapses on 28th November, there could be question mark on punishments awarded under this law," he said. If this law is not promulgated again, mafia would feel encouraged and people would be real sufferers, due to end of the system of checks and balances, he added.
He further said that the country's laws relating to competition are of international standard and different countries, including India, acknowledged the same. In India, Monopoly Control Institution had not taken action in the last seven years, he added.
He said that task of CCP was to stop cartelisation and ensure competition while market forces were required to determine prices. The main objective of the CCP was to mend ways of the business sector and protect the interest of all stakeholders, including consumers. The CCP in a short span of time has penalised all those who were involved in unfair business practices to squeeze more money from the consumers. "We do not want to impose harsh penalties on business entities that violate competition law," he said.