Hearing in Sugar Cartel Case Rescheduled to September on Mills’ Request

ISLAMABAD (News Desk) – The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has rescheduled the rehearing of the high-profile sugar cartelization case against the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and its member mills. The decision comes after legal representatives for the mills requested a postponement, citing ongoing appeals in the Supreme Court and the unavailability of legal counsel due to the court’s summer recess.

Originally set to be heard from August 4–7, 2025, the hearings will now take place from September 22–25, 2025. The CCP emphasized that this is a one-time adjournment, granted in the interest of fairness and to allow all parties a full opportunity to present their case. The Commission made it clear that no further delays will be accepted, warning that ex-parte proceedings could be initiated in the event of non-appearance or repeated adjournment requests.

The case stems from show cause notices issued in November 2020 over alleged cartelization and anti-competitive conduct within the sugar industry. The current hearings follow a May 21, 2025 order by the Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT), directing the CCP to rehear the matter before a new Member or Chairperson uninvolved in the original proceedings.

In 2021, the CCP had imposed a Rs. 44 billion penalty on the PSMA and its members for cartelization. However, the CAT later set aside the decision, ruling that the casting vote used by the then Chairperson to break a tie in a 2-2 split was not valid under the Competition Act, 2010 for quasi-judicial matters.

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The case continues to draw attention as a major test of regulatory authority and corporate accountability in Pakistan’s sugar sector.