The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Thursday met with representatives of leading digital platforms PakWheels and OLX Pakistan to address emerging risks of anti-competitive practices and deceptive marketing in online marketplaces.
Office of Fair Trade Member Salman Amin led the meetings, with discussions focusing on ensuring fair competition and consumer protection in the fast-growing digital economy.
In the meeting with PakWheels, Suneel Munj and his team briefed the CCP on the platform’s expanded services, including auto-financing, insurance, and vehicle verification. The regulator raised concerns regarding deceptive claims in promotional campaigns, especially related to third-party products such as financing, auto parts, oils, and insurance. Both sides agreed to develop sector-specific guidelines to enhance transparency and protect consumers. The CCP also highlighted the need to monitor claims related to electric vehicles, bikes, and scooters.
The meeting with OLX focused on misleading advertisements, fake job postings, fraudulent schemes, and multi-level marketing scams. The CCP emphasized the need for robust redress mechanisms and the prompt removal of flagged content. OLX said it will display clear information on prohibited practices under the Competition Act, 2010, and promote self-regulation and compliance among users.
The CCP continues to ensure open and fair competition across sectors, including the digital economy. It recently imposed penalties in the automobile sector for deceptive marketing and other violations of the Competition Act.