CCP Sugar Cartel Case 2025 Postponed After 70 Sugar Mills Seek Delay

Islamabad, Aug 4, 2025: The long-awaited CCP Sugar Cartel Case 2025 has once again seen a delay, as over 70 sugar mills requested adjournment, prompting the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to reschedule hearings for September 22 to 25, 2025.

In an official statement, CCP clarified that this is a one-time adjournment granted in the interest of justice. The commission emphasized that no further extensions will be allowed, and hearings will proceed on a daily basis during the revised dates.

The delay comes amid ongoing legal challenges, with more than 50 sugar mills currently pursuing appeals in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. These appeals challenge the Competition Appellate Tribunal’s (CAT) order for a rehearing, which must now be overseen by a CCP member not involved in the previous 2–2 deadlock decision.

The CAT’s directive also requires CCP to conclude the case within 90 days, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the matter. In response, CCP reissued notices on July 9, 2025, to the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and affiliated mills, asking them to respond to earlier show-cause notices linked to alleged cartel practices uncovered in November 2020.

Read More: CCP Imposes Rs 1 Billion Penalties on Cartels and Deceptive Advertisers

Previously, in 2021, CCP had levied a massive Rs. 44 billion fine on PSMA and the mills, but the ruling was overturned when CAT found procedural issues — specifically, the use of a casting vote to break the earlier tie.

Read More: CCP Issues Notices to PSMA and Sugar Mills in Cartelization Case

CCP has now asked all concerned parties to appear with authorized representatives and complete documentation to facilitate the rehearing. With the Supreme Court and CAT keeping the pressure on, the outcome of the CCP Sugar Cartel Case 2025 is set to become a pivotal moment for Pakistan’s competition enforcement history.