PCA stands up against CCP power slashing

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Computer Association (PCA) has stood up against the reported intentions of the Government to slash powers of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) through amendments in its ordinance.
Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club, the Associations central leadership said the role of Competition Commission of Pakistan was highly significant to protect the rights of the consumers.
An outfit of the state for ensuring competitive practices in business is also essential to create a system of check and balance, especially to discourage unhealthy trend of cartelisation in the country, he added.
To bring investment in Pakistan and restore the confidence of local and foreign investors, its highly imperative to establish transparency and fair play.
Therefore, the Government should ensure the existence of such bodies, which are instrumental for transparent and good governance as well, said Munawar Iqbal, the Central President of Pakistan Computer Association (PCA).
He termed it unfortunate that vested interests were trying to influence legislation on the Competition Law and to introduce such amendments that aiming to weaken CCP and render it toothless against cartelisation.
These vested interest groups, he said, have been given a free hand in the past and they were allowed to make cartels and steal from the people through arbitrary fixation of prices and this fleecing has to end for good now.
He further observed that the CCP had played a very vital role to discourage monopolies, abuse of dominance, and deceptive marketing tactics.
Without safeguarding the interests of small investors, we cannot expect an economic turn around in the country, he said adding, it is unfortunate that the cartels and mafias were hell bent to stop and hamper the working of such institutes.
Munawar Iqbal said the Competition Ordinance 2009 in its original form is an excellent piece of legislation that is in line with the best international practices and has been recognised by the competition agencies around the world.
However, he said, actions taken under the ordinance have caused great disturbance among the few very powerful business interests who are trying to sabotage the law.