The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has authorized Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited’s acquisition of shares in Agritech Limited after completing its Phase-I competition review.
The shares were acquired through the Pakistan Stock Exchange in two stages in 2023 and 2024. CCP assessed the combined shareholding and examined the impact of the transaction on competition in Pakistan’s fertilizer sector, particularly the urea and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) markets.
The Commission found a horizontal overlap between Fatima Fertilizer and Agritech in the urea market, while Fatima Fertilizer had no share in the SSP market. However, during the review, Fatima Fertilizer informed CCP that it had divested its entire shareholding in Agritech and no longer intended to pursue control of the company.
As Fatima Fertilizer held no shares in Agritech at the time of CCP’s determination, the Commission concluded that the transaction did not substantially lessen competition, create entry barriers, or strengthen a dominant market position.
CCP therefore approved the transaction under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Competition Act, 2010.
