The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued notices to the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and its member sugar mills for a rehearing in a cartelization case. The notices were issued in compliance with the May 21, 2025, order of the Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT), which directed the matter to be reheard by a Chairperson or Member of the Commission who was not part of the earlier conflicting opinions.
The case dates back to November 2020, when the CCP issued show cause notices to PSMA and its member mills for alleged cartelization and anti-competitive conduct. In 2021, the CCP imposed a penalty of nearly Rs 44 billion on PSMA and its member mills for violating competition laws. However, the CAT set aside the penalty, questioning the legality of the casting vote exercised by the then Chairperson to break a 2-2 deadlock in the original four-member bench.
The rehearing is scheduled for August 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2025. The CCP has directed all concerned parties to nominate authorized representatives and appear with all relevant facts and material for the rehearing. The CAT has directed that the matter be decided preferably within 90 days.
