The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has initiated an inquiry into the marketing practices of several housing schemes, including M/s. Eighteen Housing Project, over allegedly misleading advertisements about their location.
According to information shared by journalist Zahid Gishkori, the housing societies under scrutiny have reportedly been advertising themselves as Islamabad-based development projects despite being located outside the territorial limits of Islamabad.
The CCP has launched a probe to determine whether these marketing practices violate the provisions of the Competition Act. The commission is examining whether the advertisements could potentially mislead consumers regarding the actual location and status of the housing projects.
M/s. Eighteen Housing Project is among the housing schemes included in the inquiry. The commission is expected to assess the promotional material and other marketing practices used by the societies to determine whether any violation has occurred.
If the allegations are established, the CCP may issue an order under Section 31 of the Competition Act. The commission can impose a penalty of up to Rs. 75 million or an amount not exceeding 10 percent of the undertaking’s annual turnover, subject to the applicable legal provisions.
The inquiry highlights the regulator’s scrutiny of advertising practices in the housing sector, particularly where promotional claims could influence consumers’ decisions about property investments.
