Memorandum of Understanding signed for collaboration in cartel investigations, merger control and combating deceptive marketing
Competition Commission of Pakistan and Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia sign MoU to deepen regulatory coordination at 10th meeting of Pakistan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission
Pakistan and Russia have formalized a major cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening competition oversight in the market. The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen regulatory coordination.
The MoU, signed at the 10th meeting of the Pakistan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission, provides a comprehensive framework for collaboration in investigating cartels, cases of abuse of dominance, merger control and combating deceptive marketing. PCC Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu and FAS Deputy Head Andrey Tsyganov signed the agreement.
The partnership also encourages the two authorities to organize joint workshops, expert exchanges, technical consultations and shared research, aimed at improving enforcement capacity and regulatory standards.
Officials noted that Russia’s antitrust authority, established 35 years ago with nearly 1,000 employees and a broad operational mandate, brings far more experience than the CCP, which currently has about 250 members. FAS regional offices also play a key role in combating cartelization and deceptive commercial practices.
CCP officials said Pakistan could benefit significantly from Russia’s extensive regulatory experience, and joint sessions between the two agencies are expected to begin soon.
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The collaboration is expected to enhance market competition, strengthen enforcement mechanisms and improve policymaking in both countries. The PCC is responsible for combating price manipulation, monitoring market behavior and protecting consumers from the harmful effects of cartelization. Recently, the government urged the CCP to speed up its investigation into alleged cartelization in the vegetable ghee and cooking oil industry.
The issue was discussed at a recent meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) while reviewing food prices across the country. It was decided that the Finance Division would assist the PCC in expediting its investigation into cartel-like behavior in the vegetable ghee and cooking oil sector and submit its report to the NPMC as soon as possible.
The meeting also reviewed the price development of cooking oil in line with the Economic Coordination Committee guidelines issued on July 29, 2025. The PCC informed its members that the investigation was ongoing and would be completed in due course with the findings being submitted thereafter.
After extensive discussions, several decisions were made. The Ministry of National Food Security, in consultation with the Ministry of Industry and provincial governments, will prepare a plan to identify measures to provide essential food items at stable prices before and during Ramazan.
The State Bank of Pakistan will present a comprehensive report on loan disbursements to farmers for planting rabi crops in flood-affected areas, including district-wise details and breakdown of agricultural and non-agricultural credit data, in the next meeting.
The Ministry of Industry and Production, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, will present a plan to facilitate private sector investments in cold storage of essential food commodities, aimed at stabilizing prices through improved storage capacity.
