CCP Postpones Cartel Case After 70 Sugar Mills Beg for Delay

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has postponed the sugar cartelisation case hearing to September 22–25, 2025, following adjournment requests from over 70 sugar mills. The CCP said this is a one-time postponement to meet the requirements of justice. It warned that no further adjournments will be granted, and the case will be heard daily. Over 50 mills have also filed appeals in the Supreme Court against the Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) decision, which had ordered a rehearing of the case by a CCP member not involved in the previous 2-2 deadlocked ruling. The CAT also directed CCP to conclude the case preferably within 90 days. On July 9, CCP issued fresh notices to the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and member mills to appear in response to show-cause notices issued in November 2020 over alleged cartelization. In 2021, the CCP imposed a Rs. 44 billion fine on PSMA and mills, which the CAT later set aside, ruling that a casting vote could not be used. Now, CCP has directed all parties to appear with authorised representatives and complete records for the rehearing.