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The Government of Pakistan in its endeavor to provide maximum relief to the public has decided to absorb most of the increase in international prices of petroleum products.

The prices of MS (Petrol), Kerosene (SKO) and Light Diesel Oil will remain the same w.e.f. 01 December 2020 for the next fifteen days.

However, due to a significant increase in the international price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD), the price of High-Speed Diesel has been increased by Rs. 4.00 per liter for the same period.

The following new prices will be effective from 01 December 2020 onwards: –

(Rs. / Liter)

Product
Existing prices
w.e.f.

16.11.2020

New prices
w.e.f.

01.12.2020

Increase/
(-)Decrease

MS (Petrol)
100.69
100.69
+0.00

High-Speed Diesel (HSD)
101.43
105.43
+4.00

Kerosene (SKO)
65.29
65.29
+0.00

Light Diesel Oil
62.86
62.86
+0.00

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The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has recommended the initiation of proceedings against M/s Hilal Foods (Pvt.) Limited for disseminating false and misleading information regarding the exclusivity and affiliation of the brand name “HAJMOLA”.

According to the inquiry report of the CCP, M/s Dabur India Limited and M/s Dabur Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited Jointly (the ‘Complainant’) through The Tareen Chambers, filed a complaint against M/s Hilal Food (Pvt.) Limited (the ‘Respondent’) with the Competition Commission of Pakistan (the ‘Commission’) for alleged violation of Section 10 of the Competition Act 2010 (the ‘Act’), pertaining to Deceptive Marketing Practices.

It was alleged in the complaint that the Sindh High Court (hereinafter referred to as “SHC”) had passed interim orders to permit both the Complainant and Respondent to use the trademark “HAJMOLA”, But the Respondent in his recent letters to Pakistan Broadcasting Association (the ‘PBA’) has circulated misleading/false information regarding the association and use of trademark “HAJMOLA”, and by doing so has distorted healthy competition in the market.

Based on the preliminary fact-finding, the Competent Authority initiated an inquiry in accordance with sub section (2) of Section 31 of the Act by appointing Mr. Mohammad Salman Zafar, Director (OFT), Ms. Marryum Pervaiz, Joint Director (OFT), and Mr. Amin Akbar, Management Executive (OFT) as inquiry officers (collectively the ‘Enquiry Officers’) to conclude the inquiry.

The Complainant is a well-known registered Company under relevant laws of India and Pakistan and carrying on International and countrywide business under the trade name “HAJMOLA”. The Complainant was founded in 1884, in Kolkata India with the largest herbal and natural product portfolios in the world.

The flagship product of Complainant namely “Dabur Hajmola” is an Ayurvedic digestive tablet, having a vibrant presence in Pakistan and worldwide, including countries like India, the United Kingdom, United States of America, and the United Arab Emirates.

It is a well-known mark protected under the Paris Convention and material provisions of the trademark laws of Pakistan, inter alia, s. 86 of the Trade Marks Ordinance 2001.

The inquiry report concluded that in light of the facts, it appears that the conduct of the Respondent, prima facie, amounts to disseminate false and misleading information regarding the exclusivity and affiliation of the brand name “HAJMOLA” despite the interim order of the Court which is still intact, in violation of Section 10(1) in terms of Section 10 (2)(b) of the Act which prohibits the distribution of false or misleading information to consumers related to character, place of production, properties and quality of goods.

In view of the analysis, it can also be concluded that the conduct of the Respondent, prima facie, has the potential to inflict harm upon the goodwill and business interest of the Complainant and cause confusion among customers through the dissemination of false and misleading information related to ownership of the disputed brand name of “HAJMOLA”, in violation of Section 10(1) in terms of Section 10(2) (a) & (b) of the Act.

The dissemination of false and misleading information has a direct impact on the public at large. It is in the interest of the general public and to create fair competition in the market, the Respondent should be stopped to circulate the information in an unfair and misleading manner and be encouraged to resort to the marketing practices which are transparent and give consumers/customers true and correct information.

Therefore, in light of the above-mentioned findings, it is recommended that the Commission may consider the initiation of proceedings against M/s Hilal Foods (Pvt.) Limited under Section 30 of the Act for the prima facie, violation of Section 10 of the Act, CCP added.

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Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) today.

The National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) reviewed the price trend of the essential commodities namely wheat flour, sugar, tomatoes, onions, vegetable ghee, potatoes, and chicken on weekly basis. The Finance Secretary while presenting the price trend of essential commodities informed that according to the latest SPI released by PBS, there is a decline in the prices of 10 essential commodities, for instance, wheat flour, sugar, onions, tomatoes and chicken while the prices of 11 commodities have increased slightly.

The price of 30 items remained stable. Adviser Finance expressed satisfaction over the declining price trend in wheat flour, sugar, onion, and tomatoes as compared to October 2020.

During the meeting, Adviser Finance urged the need to take necessary administrative measures to reduce the high-profit margin between Wholesale and Retail levels. It is our responsibility to ensure the availability of the essential items for the consumers at affordable prices, he stressed.

The Chair held a detailed discussion with the Provincial Chief Secretaries regarding the position of wheat and Sugar stocks in the Provinces and it was informed that at present, sufficient quantities are available to meet existing demand. Adviser Finance emphasized the provincial governments to ensure a smooth supply of essential items.

Secretary National Food Security and Research presented a brief update on the import of wheat during the meeting. The Logistics Committee played a key role in resolving issues related to wheat and sugar stocks among provinces, he underlined.

Provincial governments and USC should reassess their import requirements for wheat and sugar and take up with the Ministry of NFS&R accordingly and the matter may be placed before ECC for approval. M/o Industries & Production will take up the requirement of wheat and sugar for USC with PASSCO & TCP immediately.

The Chair appreciated the efforts being taken by all the Federal Ministries, Provincial Governments and other relevant stakeholders for price control. He added that the same momentum must be maintained to provide maximum relief to the general public. He also stressed that Provincial governments should work out a plan to ensure a smooth supply of perishable items to avoid any undue price hike.

Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood, Federal Secretary Finance, Federal Secretary National Food Security and Research, Secretary Industries and Production, Secretary Commerce, Chairman TCP, MD PASSCO, Chairperson CCP and Manager Utility Stores Corporation also participated in the meeting. The Provincial Chief Secretaries joined the meeting through video link.

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Governor of Punjab Ch. Mohammad Sarwar recently inaugurated the ‘Governor House Café’ in the designated public area of the Governor House. Set up in a double-decker bus, the café will remain open for public and families from 11am to 6pm.

Talking to the press during lunch with kids from the Sarwar Foundation, the governor’s wife commented that only a few children were invited due to coronavirus.

We have received a lot of donations and we will use them for their (children) benefit only.

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In addition to the café, the Sarwar Foundation also inaugurated Quran Garden, Corona Heroes Wall and Souvenir Shop in the governor house. Governor

The governor commended efforts of the Sarwar Foundation for their commitment to helping children.

The reason why we have established a Quran Garden in the governor house is to promote Islamic Heritage.

The Sarwar Foundation’s Vice-Chair Mrs. Parveen Sarwar also launched a campaign to provide winter clothing to 50,000 poor children in Punjab. The Vice-Chair has requested notable philanthropists to contribute in this massive community service drive.

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Aneela Naz, a DSP serving in KP Police, has been appointed as the head of the Motor License Authentication wing of the City Traffic Police Peshawar, becoming the first female officer ever to be elevated to the post.

Aneela, 48, hails from Lakki Marwat and had joined the KP Police as an ASI in 1996 when she was 25.

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She had also led a contingent of Pakistan’s police force during an international police conference in the UK where she was conferred with an award for her services for the department.

Aneela has worked her way up to the promotion ladder through hard work and dedication in a male-dominated department.

While recalling the time she joined the police department, Aneela said that she and her family were heavily criticized by their neighbors and relatives over her career choice.

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However, times have changed as the number of women serving in the provincial police department has increased considerably during the past decade.

Aneela said that she wants to become an inspiration for young girls who aspire of becoming police officers.

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The National Command and Operating Centre (NCOC) has finalized its recommendations for the procurement of the Coronavirus vaccine.

An experts committee of the Ministry of National Health Services headed by SAPM on Health, Dr. Faisal Sultan, has prepared these recommendations.

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According to the Federal Planning Minister, Asad Umar, NCOC’s recommendations will be presented to the cabinet for approval in tomorrow’s session.

Last week, the federal government also decided to seek financial assistance from international lenders, including the World Bank, ADB and UNICEF, to raise funds for buying doses of COVID-19 vaccine in bulk.

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Earlier this month, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had approved the provision of a technical supplementary grant of $150 million to the Health Ministry for the purchase of the coronavirus vaccine.

Around 10 million people will be provided a vaccine cover under the aforementioned arrangement, with frontline healthcare workers and the elderly being the top priority.

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