CCP Raids Ad Agency Offices in Lahore for Cartelization and Price Fixing

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has conducted raids on three entities linked to the out-of-home (OOH) media advertising market in Lahore. The action is part of an ongoing inquiry into alleged cartelization, price fixing, and coordinated bid decisions in the sector. OOH advertising includes billboards, pole streamers, bus shelters, digital screens, vehicle branding, and other public-space displays. The market involves several agencies and vendors, and any collective fixing of prices, commissions, or bid decisions can distort competition and increase advertising costs. CCP teams raided two industry associations and an advertising agency as part of the investigation. The inquiry began after a complaint from an advertising agency, which accused the association of forming a cartel to fix agency commissions and collectively decide on bids. The association was also alleged to have blacklisted agencies and vendors that refused to follow its terms and conditions. Under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2010, associations of undertakings are prohibited from making collective decisions on prices or other business terms. According to the CCP, evidence collected during the raids indicates potential violations of this provision. Once the investigation is completed, the findings will be presented before the Commission. If cartelization is proven, show cause notices will be issued to the involved undertakings. CCP Chairman Dr. Kabir Sidhu stated that while industry associations play an important role in industrial development, they must ensure that meetings do not include any anticompetitive discussions.