The Lahore High Court’s ruling on April 29, 2026, reinforces the authority of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) in regulating the automobile sector. The court ruled that Honda Atlas Cars’ appeal against the CCP inquiry is not admissible.
The CCP launched its regulatory inquiry into Honda Atlas Cars in November 2018. The investigation focuses on alleged anti-competitive practices, including illegal on-money premiums and price hikes. The court emphasized that grievances must be addressed through the formal appeals mechanism under the Competition Act, 2010.
In its decision, the court stated 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.
The Lahore High Court also noted that supplying information to the regulator is a statutory obligation for companies. This ruling follows a prior LHC ruling in October 2025 that dismissed Honda Atlas’s writ petition.
The decision was issued by a two-judge bench comprising Justice Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal and Justice Syed Ahsan Raza Kazmi. The court stated, “Attempts to challenge the CCP’s jurisdiction during the inquiry stage are legally unsustainable.”
This ruling underscores the importance of adhering to regulatory frameworks in Pakistan’s automobile sector. The inquiry also includes allegations of delaying vehicle deliveries and increasing prices after customer bookings.