Author name: Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued show cause notices to ten sugar mills in Punjab for colluding in relation to start of crushing season and fixing the sugarcane procurement price at Rs. 400 per maund.CCP’s review found that representatives of these mills held a meeting on November 10, 2025, hosted Fatima Sugar Mills, where they collectively decided to commence crushing on November 28, instead of the Punjab Sugarcane Commissioner’s officially notified date of November 15. The mills also jointly agreed to fix the cane purchase price at Rs. 400 per maund, an act that constitutes collusive decision-making.The meeting was chaired by Rana Jameel Ahmad Shahid, Resident Director of Fatima Sugar Mills. It was attended by representatives of Sheikhoo Sugar Mills, Thal Industries Corporation, Tandlianwala Sugar Mills (Rehman Hajra Unit), JK-1 Sugar Mills, Ashraf Sugar Mills, and Kashmir Sugar Mills, while Siraj Sugar Mills, Two Star Sugar Mills, and Haq Bahoo Sugar Mills joined online.Under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2010, any agreement or arrangement between market players to fix prices or coordinate on business decisions is strictly prohibited and constitutes a violation of competition law.There is a significant imbalance in negotiation power between sugar mill owners and farmers. Ideally, the sugarcane price should be determined through individual negotiations between each mill and farmers, based on the natural interplay of demand and supply. However, instead of allowing market forces to operate, all mill owners collectively and unilaterally fixed the price at PKR 400 per 40 kg.Taking cognizance of this collusion, the CCP has directed all ten mills to submit a written response within 14 days, explaining why legal proceedings should not be initiated against them for entering into prohibited agreements, influencing the sugarcane market, and gaining undue commercial advantage through a coordinated delay in crushing. Such delay crushing at the start of the season can disrupt the supply of sugar in the market, potentially leading to artificial shortages and a rise in retail sugar prices. Chairman CCP, Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, has issued a strict warning to all business associations and industry groups, stating, “No association or group of competitors will be allowed to form cartels or make collective commercial decisions that harm consumers and distort markets. CCP will take firm action against any entity found engaging in such anti-competitive behaviour and penalize.”

Islamabad: Motorists and businesses are set for significant relief as the government is expected to reduce petroleum product prices effective December 1, 2025, following a sustained decline in international oil and refined product prices.Leading brokerage house Arif Habib Limited (AHL) estimates a cut of Rs4.15 per litre in petrol prices, bringing the new rate to approximately Rs261.30 per litre from the current Rs265.45. High-Speed Diesel (HSD), widely used in transport and agriculture, is projected to become cheaper by Rs6.50 per litre, dropping to around Rs271.94 from Rs278.44.The reduction is driven by weaker global oil markets. During the November 17–27 review period, Brent crude averaged $63.43 per barrel (down 2.5%), WTI fell 1.4% to $59.04, and Arab Light declined 2.2% to $65.61 per barrel. Refined product prices also softened, with petrol and diesel spreads contracting by 6% and 8%, respectively.AHL stated, “As per our estimates, price of HSD is expected to decrease by Rs6.50/ltr, while MS price is expected to decline by Rs4.15/ltr, effective 1st Dec’25.”The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) will submit its working to the Finance Ministry by November 30, with the final notification widely expected to reflect these reductions, offering much-needed respite amid easing global energy prices.

ISLAMABAD: Amid Increasing Russian Companies Intrest in Pakistan owing to digitalization, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of the Russian Federation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of competition policy. The MoU was signed by Chairman CCP Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu and FAS Deputy Head Mr. Andrey Tsyganov during the 10th session of the Russia–Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Investment, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. The signing marks a significant step toward deepening institutional coordination, promoting fair market practices, and strengthening economic ties between the two countries. The MoU provides a structured framework for collaboration, including the exchange of expertise, best practices, and regulatory experience in areas such as cartel investigations, abuse of dominance, merger control, deceptive marketing, and sectoral competition assessments. Under the agreement, both authorities will engage through regular meetings, consultations, workshops, expert exchanges, and joint research initiatives. FAS was established 35 years ago and operates with a significantly wider mandate compared to the CCP. It has nearly 1,000 employees at its headquarters, whereas the CCP has around 250 staff members in Islamabad. FAS also maintains independent regional offices that play a highly effective role in curbing cartelization and deceptive marketing practices. The CCP stands to learn a great deal from Russia’s extensive regulatory experience, and both sides will hold joint sessions in the near future to deepen cooperation and knowledge sharing.The cooperation is expected to pave the way for stronger regulatory coordination, enhanced enforcement capacity, and more competitive and consumer-friendly markets in both Pakistan and Russia.

To facilitate taxpayers in making over-the-counter (OTC) payment of Government duties and taxes, it has been decided that all Saturday opening branches of commercial banks (including NBP branches handling customs collection) shall observe extended working hours from 09:00 A.M. to 05:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 29, 2025. The NBP designated branches manually collecting Government receipts and payments shall settle their transactions with respective SBP-BSC field office / head office on the same day, immediately after completion of the same-day clearing process. To ensure same day settlement, all instruments related to Government receipts and payments presented at bank counters on November 29, 2025 shall be collected by NIFT through Special Clearing at 05:30 P.M. The NIFT shall also provide the clearing fate of these instruments by 11:30 P.M. on the same day.