The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued show cause notices to 10 steel structure suppliers for alleged collusive bidding in procurement tenders by various Distribution Companies (DISCOs).
The companies include AM Associates, Ajmer Engineering Electric Works, Khalifa Sons, Siddique Sons Engineering, Vision Engineering, AW Engineering, FN Power, Gujranwala Cable, AH Associates, and Process Dynamics.
The CCP initiated an enquiry and conducted searches at three Lahore-based companies, impounding critical documents. Bidding data from 2015 to 2022 was analyzed, revealing that in 135 out of 357 tenders, there were signs of collusion, such as identical rates and bid rotation. The enquiry found that these companies engaged in collective decision-making, fixing prices and manipulating tender outcomes for mutual benefit. The CCP concluded that this anti-competitive behavior affected market dynamics across Pakistan.
