monopolies and competition for june-08

8/14/2019 Monopolies and Competition for June-08

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,1At(f.a~. "

ISLAMAB4\D, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 7007PART I

" ~', ;j, "" "", ',{ !"Acts, Ordin~?,ces, President) Orders And Regu,la,tions ),,;; ,

GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN" ,,'MINISTRY OF LAW, JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTSd " ','l ',I, "';i

rI~/11ab~d,he 2/1d O'ct~H~r,2'007No. 2(1 )J2007-~ub.-The following Ordinance promulgated by the

President ishereby'pubIished for gegeralinformfltjon:-ORDINANCE No, LII ,OF2007

'ANORDINANCE

, " . ",:, "" ',,':"


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1286 THS GAZETTE'OF PAKISTAN,EXTRA."OpT. 2, 200} [PARTestablishment of the Competition Commission of Pakistan to maintain and enhancecompetition; and for matters connected ther~with or incidental thereto;

AND'v\IHEREAsJheNation,alAsseJ)lb)y is notin session.,~ndJhe Bresidenlissatisfied that drcllmstances-exist whichrehder it necessary to ta](e immediate,action;

Now. THEREFORE.n exercise of~the powers conferred by clause (I) ofArticle 89 of the Constitution of the 1~lamiG:Republic of Pakistan, the President ispleased to make and promul,gatethe following Ordinanqe\~

CHAPTER-IPRELIMINARY

I. Short title, extent, application and commencement.~(I) ThisOrdinance inay h~'called the C6mpetltionO'1'dinfmce,~2007,:' c"

(2) It e~tends to the whole of Pakistan.

(3) It sl1all apply to all under takings and all actions or matters that takeplace in Pakistan 1111distortcompetition within Pakistan.. (4) n, shall cQmeinto force at once., .2. Detinitions.-(J) 'In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repGgnant

in the subject or context,- '(a) "acquisition" means any change of control of an undetaking by way

of acquisition of shares, assets or any other means;(b) "agr~ement" includes any arrangement, understanding or practice,whether or not it is inwritingor intended to be legiilly.enforceable; ,(c) "Chairman" means the'Chairman of the Commission and includes the

Actipg Chairman;. I:(d) "CQIJ1missiol)"means;the Competition C'ommission of Pakistanestablished under section 12;(e) "domInant position" of one undertaking or several undertakings in arelevant market shalL.be deem,ed to exist if such undertaking or

undertakings have the ability to behave to an appreciable extenti11dependentlyof competitors, customers, consumers and suppliers


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1288 THE GAZETTE OF PAKISTAN, EXTRA., OCT. 2,2007 [PART(p) "undertaking" means any natural or legal person, governmental body

including a regulatory authority, body corporate, partnership,association; trust or other entity in any way engaged, directly orindirectly, in the production, supply, distribution of goods or provisionor control of services and shall include an association of undertakings;

(q) "wholesaler", in relation to the sale of any goods, means a person\vho purchases goods and sells them to any other person for re-sale;and

(2) The words and expressions used but not defined in this Ordinanceshall have the same meanings respectively assigned to them in the Ordinance.

CHAPTER-II

PROHIBITION OF ABUSE OF DOMINANT PO~ITlON, CERTAINAGREEMENTS, DECEPTIVE MARKETING PRACTICES ANDAPPROVAL OF MERGERS

position.3. Abuse of dominant position.-( I) No Person shall abuse dominant

(2) An abuse of dominant position shall be deemed to have been broughtabout, maintained or continued if it consists of practices which prevent restrict,reduce or distort competition in the relevant market.

(3) The expression "practices" referred to in sub-section (2) shall include,but are not limited to.-- .(a) Iimiting production, sales and unreasonable increases in price or other

unfair trading conditions;(b) price discrimination by charging different prices for the same goods

or services from different customers in the absence of objectivejustifications that may justi fy different prices;(c) tie-ins, where the sale of goods or service is made conditional on the

purchase of other goods or services;(d) making the conclusion 0 I'con tracts subject to acceptance by the other

parties 0I'supplementary obligations which by their nature or accordingto commercial llsage, have no connection with the subject of the


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P~RT f] THEGAZE'fTE OF PAKISTAN,EXTRA:,,-OCT2, 2007 ]289(e) ~applyingdissirbiJar conditions toequivalenth'ansactions on other parties,

placing them ~t a con1\-1etitivedisadvantage;(f) predatory pric;ing driving compe . titors out Ofa market; prevent newI' .,entry,andmojl0pol'ize the market;(g) boycotting or excluding any other underta:king from the production,

distribution oirsale orany goods or the provision of any service; or,.,

(h) refusing to d~aJ.!, 4. Prohibited .~greements.-(l) No undertaking or association of

undertakingsshaJl enter il1tO"anyagreement or, 'in the'case. of an asspciation ofundertakings, shall make a ~ecision in respeCt ofthe production, supply, distribution,acquisition or cOl1tro}ofgdpds orthe provision of services which have tJ}efobjectoreffect of preventing, restriqting or reducingcompetitionwithih'the r~leVahtmarke_tunless exempted under seqtiol15 of this Ord}nance. 4

(2) ~ti~;lagreenlents'include, butare norlimited to-'!~

(a)"

fixing the pt\rchase orselling price or imposing any otheNestrictivetrading condiitions with regard to the sale or distribution of any goodsor the provision of any service;.!', .(b) dividingorlsharing of mark~j)s'foj' goods or services, whether'by

territories, by volume of sales or purchases, by type of goods or 'serVicessold or by a~lYother means;(c) fixing or setting the quantity of production, distribution or sale withregard to any goods orthe nianner ormeans of providing any services;(d) limitipgteqhnical development -or investillMtwith regal'd to theproduction)distribution Ofsale of any goods or the provision of any'serVlce; or :(e), collusive te,ndering.or biddilig for sale, purchase/or procurement of'

any goods or service;Cf)


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1290 T}-IEGAZEnsO~l'AKISTAN; EXTRA" OCT. 2,2007 [PA,R"l~(3) Anyagreel1le,nt entered into in contravention of the provision insub-section (1) shall be void.5. Individual exemptions.-( I) The Commission 'may grant an

exemption fr6m section 4 y,rith respect to a.particular practice or' agreement, if arequest for an exemption has'been made to it by a pai.ty to the agreement or practiceand the agreement is qne t9 which section 9 applies. ..

(2) The exemptiQn under sub-section (1) may be granted subject to suchconditions as the Commission considers it appropriate to impose and has effect forsuch period as the Commi&sion considers appropriate.

(3) That period rhust be specified in the grantoftheexehlption.(4) An individu~l exemption may be grantedso,as tb have. effect from a

date earlier than thaton.JVpichit is granted. .'(5) On an applidation made in such a way a~ may be specified by rules

made under section 55, 0tihe,Gommission may'exte1'1dotheperiod.rfor\which anexemption has effect; but, jfthe rules so provide, the Commission may do so only inspecified circumstaflces. I. ,.',,-'"

"

6. Cancellation etc. of individualexemption's.-( 1) If theCommission has reasonable grounds for believing that there has been a materialchange ()f circumstances since itgrantedan individual'exemption,it may\oy noticeinwriting,-i

(a) cancel the exemption;(b) v.aliyor removetlJ1Ycondition or obligation; or(c) imp.o~e0,ne;9rmore additional conditions or obligations,(2) If the Commission has reasonable suspicion that the information on

which it based its decision to grant an individual exemption was incomplete, false ormisleading in a material'l?articular, the Commission may by notice.in writing takeany of the steps mentioned in sub-section (1).

(3) Breay,h of a condition has the effect of cancelling the exemption.(4) Faiiureto complywithanobligationallowstheCommission;bynoticein writing totake any .ofthe.stepsmentioned in sub-section(lJ' .5. The


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PARTI] THE GAZETTE OF PAKISTAN, EXTRA", OCT. 2, 2007" "'''''" "--",,,,, ,'," ~ '" e",., '" '" , . ."7. Bloclfe'X'emptiom-L( I) If ag:r~et'net1ts,whrchall within a particular

category ofagt:eeI11ent~ate; Inthe'dpinJon of the Comrriissidn; likely to be agreementsto which section 9ap,pIies" the Commission may l11akea. plock exemnlion order", "',,"e. ',' ,..".v' ..,,'."givih~iexenipti2Jftoshchiagreelilet1ts. ,','.,.,,)">~,(2), ,.,t~l?ck~xen~~~ionorder 111ayl11p~~eond5tions or obligations subjectt'o\~hich' aBjock'~xenJl)ti611Ij'9tt have effect. "i" ,; ,r

(3) Aj:JIock~xe1l1ption order mayprovide--, !. "1" ,I'(a) '0 , ',' ', ,


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1292 THE GAZEl'TE,OR PA~ISTAI>tEXT;RA.,'OOr. 2,2007 [PART!(ii) promoting technical or econon)ic progre~s, while allowing

consumers a fair shar~of the ,resultingpenefit; or(iii) th.e benefits of that cleiltJy.outwyigl}, theadverseeffyctof

absence or lessening of competition.(2) The onus of claiming an exempt'ion under ~~hisAct shal(lieon the

undertaking seeking the exemption..10. Deceptive marketing practices.-( 1) No u,ndertaking shall enter

into deceptive marketing practices.

(2) The deceptive marketing practices shall be deemed to have beenresorted to.or continued if an UndertakiJigresorts to-(a) the distribution of false ormisleadingiriforniation that is capable ofharming the bln.;iness interystsof anbtheruridertaking;. ',..

tHe d i'sMbtl fiad"hf fa Ise ';'6f"nl'i sl~ad in g tb:;f8~fllilitiorf t02'on su mers,iilclllding tHe'distl'lblltion' O'finformation l(aClHnga reasonable basis,related to the pdce; charatter, method. oT"place


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PART !] THJ?GAZETTE OF PAKISTAN.,:XTRA., OCL2, ,2007 1293(4) Applicationrreferred to in sub-section (3)shatl be in the form and;

acconwanjeg by.aproc.ess,ing (ee as m~y ,be ]Jr~scribed.by the Commission. Theconcerned undertakings sl1al1not proceed ~iththe intend'ed merger ~ntil they havereceived clearance from the Commission.(5) The Commission shall by way of an order referred to in section 31,

decide on whether the intendedmerger meets the threshofdsand.the presumptionof dominance aspetermine(j in section 3. Such order shall be made within thirtydays ofrecetpt of the application.

(6) Ifso determined,the Commission shall initiate a second phase reviewand for that purpose the CommissiOn may require the\:;'oncerned undertakings toprovide such infoi'mation. as it considers necessary to enable the Commission tomake the necessary deterrllinatl0n..

(7) Failure to mhke a determinati~n within the prescrib,ed period ofthirtydays for the'.ffrst phase review shall mean thattheCommission has no objection tothe intended merger.

(8) On.initiation of the second phase review the C01:11missionhall, withinninety days ofreceipt of the requested irrformation undersubrse~tion (6), revi,ewthe merger to assess whether it substantially lessens competition by creating orstrengthening a dominan,tposi60n in the relevant market, and shall give, its decisionon the proposed transaction. In case concerned undertakings fail to provide tJleinfornlation'reQ.uested, the Commission may reject the application.

\.

(9). Fail,ure to render a decision within ninety days shall be deemed tomean that tlie Copl!11issio}1has no objection to the intended merger.. , " .

: . J .J " 00 '0' 0 0 0 '(10) If after the s~cond phase review, the C01111'nissiondetei-ihin~sthat theintended merger substanflallylessens competition by creating or streilgthening adominant position,,it maynonetheless approve the transaction, ifit is shown that,-. r . "

(aJ it''~01~\I;i5u!ees'ubstandally to the effi~ienty'bf the production brdiS!ributionofgoodsorto theprovisionof servi~es; .

(b) such efficiency could 110treasonably have been achieved by a lessrestrictive means of competition;

(c) the benefits of such efficiency clearly outweigh the adverse effect of .the absence or lessening of competition;ior


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J294 THE GAZETTE OF PAKISTAN,EXTRA., OCT. 2, 2007 [PARTI(d) it is the least anti-competitive option for the failing undertaking's assets,

when one of the undertakings is faced with actual or imminent financial.failure:

"Provided that the burden of proof sha1l lie with the undertakingseeking the approval.

(11) Incase the Commission determines that the transaction under reviewdoes not qualify the criteria specified in sub-section (10), the Commission may:-

(a) prohibit the consummation of the transaction;(b) approve such transaction subject to the conditions laid by the

Commission in its order;(c) .approve such transaction on the condition that the said undertakings

enter Into legally enforceable agreements specified by the Commissionin its order.

(12) Where an undertaking has consummated the merger without complyingwith the provisions of sub-section (I) to sub-section (4), the Commission shall, aftergiving the undertaking an opportunity of being heard, make appropriate orders undersection 3 I.

(13) Where the Commission has granted approval subject to conditions,the Commission may, within one year, review the order of approval of merger onits own or on the application of the undertakings concerned on the ground that it issatisfied that the circumstances of the relevant market or the undertakings have sochanged as to warrant review of the conditions imposed.

(14) If the Commission determines that the approval was based on falseor misleading information submitted by the undertaking, or the conditions prescribedin the relevant order. of the Commission have not been fu1ly complied with, theCommission may after affording the undertakings concerned an opportunity of beingheard,-

(a) undo such merger or acquisition; or(b) prescribe modifications or additions in the original order.


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1302 THE GAZETTE OF PAKISTAN, EXTRA., OCT. 2,2007 [PART(d) to give advice to undertakings asking for the same as to whether any

action proposed to be taken by such undertakings is consistent withthe provisions of this Ordinance,rules or ordersmade thereunder;

(e) to engage in competition advocacy; and(f) to take all other actions as may be necessary for carrying out the

purposes of this Ordinance.(2) The Commission may, subject to such conditions as it may think fit to

impose, delegate all or any of its runctions and powers to any of its Members orofficers at it deems fit.29. Competition advocacy.-The Commission shall promote competition

through advocacy which, a1110ngothers, shall include:-(a) creating awareness and imparting training about cbmpetition issues

and taking such other actions as may be necessary for the promotionora competition culture;

(b) reviewing policy frameworks for fostering competition and makingsuitable recommendations for ame11dments to this Ordinance and anyother laws that affect competition in Pakistan to the FederalGovernment and Provincial Governments;

(c) holding open hearings on any matter affecting the state of competitionin Pakistan or affecting the country's commercial activities andexpressing public!y an opinion with respect to the issue; and

(d) posting on its \vebsite all decisions made, inquiries under review andcompleted. merger gUidelines, educational material, and the like.

30. Proceedings in cases of contravention.L( I) Where the Commis-sion is satisfiedthat there has beenu! is likelytobe, a contraventionof any provisionof Chapter II, it may make one or ii")re of sllch orders specified in section 31 as itmay deem appropriate. TheCol1lmissioll may also impose a penalty at ratesprescribed in section 3X, in all cases of contravention of the provisions ofChapter II.

(2) Before making an order under sub-section (1), the Commission shall-(a) give notice of its intention to make such order stating the reasons

there tore to such undertaking as may appear to itto be in contravention;and


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PARTI] THE GAZETTE OF PAKISTi\N, EXTRA", OCT 2, 2007 1303(b) give the undertaking an opportunity of being heard on such date as

may he specified in the notice and of placing before the Commissionfacts and material in support of its contention:

Provided that in case the undertaking does not avail the opportunityof being heard, the Commission may decide the case ex parte.(3) The Commission shall pub1ish its orders in the official Gazette, for the

information orthe public(4) An order made under sub-section (1) shall have effect notwithstanding

anything to the contrary containcd in any other !aw for the time being in force or inany contract or memorandum or articles of association.(5) Any order issued under this section shall include the reasons on whichthe order is based.

of-31. Orders of the Commission.-The-Commission may in the case

(a) an abuse of dominant position: require the undertaking concerned totake such actions specified in the order as may be necessary torestorecompetition and not to repeat the prohibitions specified in Chapter IIor to engage in any other practice with similar effect; and

(b) prohibited agreements, annul the agreement or require the undertakingconcerned to amend the agreement or related practice and not torepeat the prohibitions specified in section 4 or to cnter into any otheragreemcnt or engage in any other practice with a similar object oreffect; or

(c) a deceptive markcting practice, ITquirc,--

(i) the undertaking concerned to take such actions specified in theorder as may be ncccssary to restore the previous marketconditions and not to rcpeat the prohibitions specified in section10;01'

(ii) confiscation, forfeiture or destruction of any goods havinghazardous or harmful effect.


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]304 TI-IE GAZETTE OF PAKISTAN, EXTRA., OCT. 2, 200] [Pi\Rr I(d) a merger, in addition tolhe provisions contained in sectiOl~ 11,-

(i) authorize the merger, possibly setting forth the conditions to whichthe acquisition is subject, as prescribed in regulations;

(ii) cdecide that it has doubts as to the compatibility of the mergerwith Chapter] I, thereby opening a second phase review; or

(iii) undo or prohibit the merger, but only as a conclusion of the secondphase review.

32. Power to issue interim orders.-(]) Where, during the course ofany proceeding under section 30, the Commission is of opinion that the issue of afina1order in the proceedings is likely to take time and that, in tlle situation that existsor is likely to emerge, serious or irreparable damage may occur and an interimOrder is necessary in the pub! ic interest, it may, after giving the undertaking concernedan opportunity of being heard, by O\'der,direct such undertaking to do or refrain fromdoing or continuing to do any act or thing specified in the order.

(2) An order mack under sub-section (I) may, at any time, be reviewed,modified or cancelled by the Commission and, unless so cancelled, shal1 remain in

. force for such period as may be speci lIed therein but not beyond the date of the finalorder made under sect ion :1I .33. Powers of the c:ommission in relation to a proceeding or enquiry.-

(I) The Commission shall. 1'01'he purpose of a proceeding or enquiry under thisOrdinance, have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code ofCivil Procedure, I 90S (Act V of 1905), while trying a suit, in respect of the followingmatters, namely:----

(a) summoning al1denforcing the attendance of any witness and examininghim on oath:

(b) discovery and procluction of any document or other material objectproducible as evidence:(c) accept evidence on aflidavits;(d) requisitioning of any public [ecord fI'om any court or offIce; and(e) issu ing 0 f a COI11miss ion for the exam ination of any witness, documentor both.


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Pili"r!.] TI-IE CA7.L'TTE OF PAKISTAN, EXTRA" OCT. 2, 2007 1305(2) Any proceeding before the Commission shall be deemed to be ajudicial

proceeding within the meaning orsections 193 and 228 of the Pakistan Penal Code(Act XLV of 18(0), and the Commission shall be deemed to be a civil court for thepurposes of section 195 and Chapter XXXV. of the Code of Criminal Procedure,1898 (Act V of 18(8). .

(3) The Commission may. for the purpose of a proceeding or enquiryunder this Ordinance, require ,1I1Yunderlaking-,-(a) to produce befme, and to allow to be examined and kept by, an officer

of the Commission speci fied in this behalj~ any books, accounts, orother documenls in the custody or under the control of the undertakingso required. being documents relating to any matter the examinationof which may be necessary far the purposes of this Ordinance; and

(b) to furnish to anofficer sospecified stich infolTilat~onn its possession,relati ng to any matter as Jllay be, necessary for the purpose of thisOrdinance,

34. Power to t~nter and seal'ell premises.-( 1) Notwithstanding anythingcontained in any other law for the time being in'foree, the Commission shall have thepower to authol'ize any oflicer to enter and search any premises for the purpose ofenforcing any provision of this Ordinance.

(2) For the purpose or sub-section ( I), the Commission---(a) shall have fuI! and free access to any premises, place, accounts,documents or cOl11putcr~(b) lllay stamp. or make an extract or copy of any accounts, documents

or computer-stored information to which access is obtained underclause (a);

(c) may impound any accounts or documents and retain them for as longas lllay be necessary far the purposes of the Ordinance;(d) may. where ~l hard Copy or computer disk of information stored on a

computer is not mack avai lable: impound and retain the computer foras long as is necessary to copy the information required; and

(e) may m,1kc al1 inventory of any article f'oundin any premises or place


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1306 THE GAZETTE OF PAKISTAN. EXTRA., OCT. 2, 2007 [PARTI(3) Any officer of theComrnission who seeks to exercise the right to

enter and search premises shall be required to provide evidence of his authority toact onbehalfofthe Commission.(4) The Commission may authorize any valuer to enter any premises or

place to inspect such accounts and documents as may be necessary to enable thevaluer to make a valuation of an .assct for the purpose of this Ordinance.

(5) The occupier or any premises or place to which access is soughtunder sub-section (I) shall provide all reasonable facilities and assistance to ensurethe effective exercise of the right of access.

(6) Any accounts, documents or computer impounded and retained undersub-section (2) and (3) shall be signed Corbythe Commission or an authorized officer.(7) An undertaking whose accounts, documents or computer have been

impounded and retained under sub-section (2) may examine them and make anextract or copy from them during regular office hours under such supervision as theCommission may determine.

(8) ill this section. the cxp}"essioll"occupier", in relation to anY.premisesor place, includes the owner. manager or any ot11erperson found present on thepremises or place.35. Forcible entry.--( I) In the event that an undertaking refuses without

reasonable cause to allow' the Commission to exercise the powers contained insection 34, an investigating onicer of the Commission may by written order, signedby any two Members enter any place or building by force, if necessary.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (I), no investigatingofficer of the Commission shal! enter allY premises by the use of force without awritten order of the Commission signedby two Members.(3) If, on enquiry conducted in accordance with the rules it is found that

the exercise by an investigating oflicer of his power under sub-section (2) wasvexatious, excessive or with !lw!ajid" intcnt such officer shall be dismissed fromservice, and shall be guilty or an offence and shail be liable on conviction to a finewhich may extend to five hundred thousand rupees or to imprisonment for a termnot exceeding one year or both.. (4) Whenever a criminal cOllrt imposes a fine under sub-section (3) itshall, when passingjudgmenL ordn thma sum equal to the whole or any part of thefine recovered, be paid to the person on whose complaint the investigating officerwas convicted, and in case the IIne is not recovered the sum shall be paid out ofthe


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PART I] THE GAITTT!', OF Pi\IZIS'T'AN,EXTRA, OCT 2, 2007 1307(5) Any sum paid undcr sub-section(4) shall be without prejudice to the

right of the aggrieved person to avail any other remedies ,wailable to him under thelaw but at the time ofav,,:arding compensation in any subsequent proceedings relatingto the same matter the court shall take into account any sum rccovered from theconvict and paid to the aggrieved person.

36, Power to eal! for information relating to undertaking.-Not-withstanding anything contained in any other law I'orthe time being in force, theCommission may, by gencral or special order, call upon an undertaking to furnishperiodically or as and when required any information concerning the activities of theundertaking, including inforrnation relating to its organization, accounts, business,trade practices, managemelll and connection with any other undertaking, which theCommission may consider necessaryor useful for the purposesof this Ordinance.

37. Enquiry and studies.-(I) The Commission may, on its own, andsha]] upon a reference Made to it by thc Federal Government, conduct enquiries intoany matter relevant to the pmposes of this Ordinance.

(2) Where the Commission receives from an undertaking or a registeredassociation ofconsllmers a complaint in wriJing of such facts as appear to constitutea contraventionof the provisionsofChapleI' II, it shan, unlessit is ofopinionthat theapplication is frivolous or vexatious or based on insufficient t~lcts, or is notsubstantiated by pril7wlocie evidence, conduct an enquiry into the matter to whichthe complaint relates.

(3)contract

The CornmisSlon Illay oulsource studies by hiring consultants on

(4) If upon the cOJiclusicJIlf an inquiry under sub-section (I) or sub-section (2), the Commission is ofopinion,th,lt the findings are such that it is necessaryin the public interest so to do, it shall initiate proceedings under section 30,

CHAPTER- VPENAlTIES AND APPEALS

38, Penalty ( I) The Commission may by order direct any undertakingor any director, oflicer or employee of an undertaking, to pay by way of penaltysuch sum as may be speci tied in the order if, after giving the undertaking concernedan opportunity ofbeing heard, it determines that such undertaking-


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1308 THE GAZE'rTE OF PAKIS'lAN, EXTRA., OCT. 2,2007 [PARTI(b) has failed to comply with an order of the Commission made under this

Ordinance;(c) has failed to supply a copy of the agreement or any other documents

and information as required under this Ordinance or requisitioned bythe Commission;(d) has furnished any information or made any statement to the

Commission \vhich such undertaking knows or has reason to believeto be false or found by [he Commission to be inaccurate; or

(e) knowingly abuses, interferes with,. impedes, imperi Is, or obstructs theprocess of the Commission in any manner:Provided that t~lircomments made in good faith and in the public

interest on the \Vorking~of the Commission or on any order of theCommission issued alter the completion of any proceedings, shall notbe subject to the imposition of a penalty.

(2) The Commission Illay impose penalties at the following rates, namely:-(a) for a contravention of ,lny provision .of Chapter II of the Ordinance,

an amount not exceeding fifty million rupees or an amount notexceeding fi(teen percent of the annual turnover of the undertaking,as may be decided in the circumstances of tile case by the Commission;

(b) for non-compliance of any order, notice or requisition of the Commissionan amount not exceeding one million rupees, as may be decided in thecircumstances of the case by the Commission; and

(c) for clause (c) in sub-section (I), an amount not exceeding one millionrupees as may be dccided in the circumstances of the case by theCommission.

(3) If the violation oUhe order of the Commission is a continuing one, theCommission may also direct the undertaking guilty of such violation shaJ] pay byway of penalty a further Slllllwhich may extend to one million rupees for every day.after the first such violation.

(4) The Commission may, with the approval of the Federal Government,by notification in the official Gazclte, vary the rates and amount of the penalties as


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PARTI] THE GAZETTE Of 'PAKISTAN,EXTRA.,OCT. 2, 2007 1309, (S), Any pemtlty;in)posedi under this Ordinance shall b~ recoverable asprovidedin.secti0n 40. .(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Ordinance or any other

law for the time beingiqfQ.rce, faillire to COI11pl)',ith an Ol:d~t,oqhe Cbm1'llissionshall constitute a criminal offence punfsh~ble wifh impri~onm~nt for a term whichmay extend to one year or with fine which may {:xtetld'to twenty five million rupees'and the Commission may; in addition to, or in lieu of, the penalties prescribed in thisOrdinance, ihitiate proceedingsln a COllftofcompetelltjurisdiction.

39. ,Leniency.4+-( L) The ,J:::ommission,may, if; it is satisfied that anyundertaking which is a party to a prohibited agreement and is alleged to have violated,Chapt~r II prohibitions;hatmade,afull and true,dis.cIos.ure in respect of the allegedviolation, impose on such qndertaking a lesser penalty as'it may deem fit, than thatpfovided in section 38, " ,

, (2)f Any e]'en1ptio;, fr9m a p~nalty or 1nWosition ()f~ ~SS~I;~yna!!y sh~llbe nl~de o:nly in~respe~t of 1n undertaking that is a party to a pr.ohibiied agr eement, ...' .,which first made th'~fulfail'd'truedisclosure under this sectiQll. '~ ! 'J(3) The COl11missionmay, ifit is satisfied thai an)/u1'iHertaking'Wh'ichhas'

been granted lenient treatment under sub-section (1) failed to comply with theconqitions,onwhich a lesserpenaltywasimposed had Riven false evidence, revoketpe. lenieJ!)cypfovjsiQniandil1Jpose opAheiundertakingthe'penalty proyided undersection 38., , . c' v

~ I - ,!,' ., -4b,. ~ecoveh..ot.Bf~j~Jtj~~.(,;'I ),Jor tl1e reco


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1310 THE GAZETTE OF PAKISTAN,EXTRA., OCT. 2,2007 [PART1(d) require any ofthc following, by notice in writing, the person to deduct

and pay the sum specified in the notice on or before such date as maybe so specified, namely:--(i) from whom any money is due or may become due to the

undertaking;(ii) who holds. or controls the receiptor disposal of or may

subsequcntly hold, or control the receipt or disposal of, any moneybelonging to the undertaking or on account ofthe undertaking; or

(iii) who is responsible for payment of any sum to the undertaking.(3) Any bank, recciver, District Revenue Officer or undertaking who has.

paid any sum in compliance with a notice under sub-section (2) shall be deemed tohave paid such sum to the Commission i.nrespect of the undertaking, and the receiptofthe Commission shall constitute a good and sufficient discharge of the liability ofsuch bank, receiver, District Revenue Officer or undertaking to the extent of thesum referred to in such receipt.

(4) If any bank, receiver, District Revenue Officer or undertaking onwhom a notice is served, f~tilsto attach, receive, recover, deduct and pay, as thecase may be, the amount speci lied in the said notice, such bank, receiver, DistrictRevenue Officer or undertaking shall be treated as a defaulter and the amountspecified in the said notice shall be recoverable from him or it, as the case may be,by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.

(5) The Commission may, by order, direct any bank, receiver, DistrictRevenue Officer or undertaking which is a defaulter as referred to in sub-section(4), to pay by way of penalty, such sum as specified in the order, after giving to thebank, receiver, district revenue officer or undertaking an opportunity of being heard,it detemlines that such bank. receiver, district revenue officer or undertaking haswilfully failed to comply with the order of the Commission.

(6) For the purposes of the recovery of the amount under sub-section (2)the Commission shall have the same powers as a civil court has under the Code ofCivil Procedure 1908 (Act V of 1908).

(7) The Commission may make rules regulating the procedure for the. recoveryof amountsunder this sectionandanyothermattersconnectedwithorincidental to the operation of this section.


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PARTI] THE GAZE'fTE OF PAKISTAN. EXTRA.. OCT. 2, 2007 131141. Appeal to the Appellate Bench of the Commission.-( I) An

appeal shall lie to an Appellate Bench of the Commission in respect of an ordermade by any Member or authorized officer of the Commission. The person aggrievedby such order may, within thirty days of the passing of the order submit an appeal, tothe Appellate Bench of the Commission.

(2) The Commission shall constitute Appellate Benches comprising notless than two Members to hear appeals under sub-section (I).

(3) The decisions of the Appellate Bench shall be made unanimously orby a majority of votes if the Appellate Bench comprises of more than two members.In the event of a spl it verdict, the original order appealed against shall hold and shallhave effect as the final order of the Commission.

(4) No Member shall be included in an 1\ppellate Bench who hasparticipated or been involved in the decision being appealed against.

(5) The form in which an appeal is to be filed and the fees to be paidtherefore and other related matters shall be prescribed by rules.

42. Appeal to the Court.-Any person aggrieved by an order of theCommission comprising t\VOor more Members or of the Appellate Bench of theCommission may within sixty days of the communication of the order, prefer appealto the Supreme Court.

CHAPTER~VIGENERAL

43. Common seal.-( I) The Commission shall have a common sealwhich shall be kept in the custody of the Chairman or such other person as may beauthorised by the Chairman by regulations made by the Commission.

(2) Documents required or permitted to be executed under seal shall bespecified and authenticated in such manner as shall be authorized by regulations.

44. Service of notices and other documents.-For the purpose of thisOrdinance ooy notice, requisition, letter or order required to be served on anundertaking shall be treated as properly served 'on the undertaking, ifsuch service is