CCP monitoring

As soon as the Competition Commission of Pakistan announced assessment and monitoring of five sectors, the automobile manufacturing industry reported a 73 percent increase in sales despite the fact that their sales had remained unchanged since last year. This amounts to mis-declaration. It also means that CCP monitoring has forced automobile manufacturers to show their actual record.
Last year, the FBR unearthed unofficial, secret sales of IT equipment of two major brands from a distributor in Islamabad to the tune of billions of rupees. The manufacturers of two major brands of computers were selling more than 50 percent of imported items without paying any duty. These and other such stories highlight the fact that even international brands are being sold illegally in our country – and both local and international firms are involved in such activities. In this regard the CCP action is a positive move. Moreover, our tax authorities also need to do more to arrest these criminals. I have lodged a complaint with the CCP against the sugar mafia that is involved in cheating not only poor farmers but the government and the general public as well. Unfortunately, the CCP has yet to announce any action against them.
Engr Shahryar Khan Baseer
Peshawar