Islamabad: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued show cause notices to ten steel suppliers suspected of collusive bidding during procurement tenders by Distribution Companies (DISCOs). The notices were prompted by an investigation into their bidding behavior, which indicated potential violations of the Competition Act, 2010.
According to Competition Commission of Pakistan, the investigation was launched following signs of anti-competitive practices across various tenders for transmission towers from 2015 to 2022. During the inquiry, CCP conducted searches and impounded critical documents at three Lahore-based companies. Analysis of 357 tenders revealed that 135 exhibited identical bidding patterns, suggesting collusion in pricing and bid rotation among the involved companies, including M/s. AM Associates and M/s. Khalifa Sons, among others.
Further investigations pointed to a systematic approach to manipulating tender outcomes, affecting market dynamics across Pakistan. The implicated firms now face legal proceedings for breaches of multiple sections of the Competition Act. This marks a significant step by the CCP to uphold market fairness and competition laws.