The commission underpins efforts to encourage competitive markets in the country for the greater interest of the economy and, of course, consumers. It is likely to get the parliament’s nod, as required by the courts. If that is not done, all the actions taken by the commission to dismantle cartels in different sectors of the economy and prevent various businesses from abusing their dominant positions in the market will stand invalidated.

The ordinance aims at promoting fair competition in the economy to protect consumer interests and encourage producers and service providers to become efficient and cost-effective. The commission has done its job honestly and diligently and taken action against banks, cement producers, the sugar industry, the liquefied petroleum gas business, telecom companies and newspapers, amongst others, for forming cartels, fixing prices and abusing their dominant positions at the cost of consumers and competitive markets.

As a result, the commission and its chairman have earned the ire of many powerful business lobbies whose interests were hurt. Many, including cement manufacturers and LPG producers and distributors, have already moved the courts attacking the very basis of the ordinance which they say violates the constitution. At the same time, there are lobbies trying to get the incumbent head of the commission replaced, perhaps with a docile and compliant bureaucrat. So far they haven’t succeeded. It is now time for the National Assembly to stand behind the man and the effort to promote competition which is the essence of a free-market economy.