The Lahore High Court ruled that Honda Atlas Cars’ appeal against the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s (CCP) inquiry is not admissible. The ruling strengthens the CCP’s authority in regulating the automobile sector.
This decision came early Tuesday during a hearing involving Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited. The CCP launched its regulatory inquiry in November 2018.
The inquiry focuses on alleged anti-competitive practices, including illegal on-money premiums and price hikes. Grievances must be addressed through the formal appeals mechanism under the Competition Act, 2010.
As of midday, the court emphasized that constitutional petitions and intra-court appeals are inappropriate during ongoing inquiry proceedings. Appeals against orders by a single member of the CCP can be filed within 30 days.
Orders issued by multiple members or the Appellate Bench can be contested within 60 days. Supplying information to the regulator is a statutory obligation that companies must fulfill.
This ruling follows a prior LHC decision in October 2025, which dismissed Honda Atlas’s writ petition. The latest decision was issued by a two-judge bench comprising Justice Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal and Justice Syed Ahsan Raza Kazmi.
The Lahore High Court stated, “Attempts to challenge the CCP’s jurisdiction during the inquiry stage are legally unsustainable.” This reinforces the framework for addressing grievances in regulatory matters.
Background information indicates that the CCP’s inquiry includes allegations of delaying vehicle deliveries and increasing prices after customer bookings. The outcome has significant implications for Honda Atlas and its operations.
