ISLAMABAD: Taking notice of the widespread concerns and complaints regarding the prima facie deceptive marketing practices by various housing schemes in Punjab, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Monday launched an investigation into eighty eight (88) housing schemes in Lahore.

In addition, the commission will also investigate housing schemes in adjoining districts of Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib to ascertain whether they violated Section 10 of the Competition Act 2010.

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) informed through a letter that the housing schemes were luring investors and the general public through print and TV advertisements to invest in their schemes, without meeting the legal requirements and in violation of the pertinent laws.

The LDA also sought a ban on advertising campai­gns of these schemes to save citizens from financial losses.

Taking a suo motu notice of the complaints and concerns, the CCP has authorised an enquiry team to thoroughly probe the said housing schemes and submit a report to the commission. As part of the investigation, the enquiry team visited 62 housing schemes to see the situation on ground and is scheduled to visit the remaining housing schemes.

Section 10 of the Compe­tition Act, inter alia, prohibits businesses from indulging in deceptive marketing practices, which also inclu­des distribution of false or misleading information lack­­ing reasonable basis, deceiving the consumers, and harming business interest of the other undertakings.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2020