28/08/2026
CCP Brings Consumers, Real Estate Industry & Regulators to One Table
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) brought consumers and investors, real estate businesses, and regulators together at its Open Hearing on Competition Issues in the Real Estate Sector—providing a common platform for consumers to share their experiences and concerns, the industry to present its perspective, and regulators to outline their respective roles.
The intended objective of the hearing included hearing every side, putting the concerns on record, better understanding the competition issues affecting one of Pakistan’s most important sectors, and evolving a framework to alleviate those concerns.
The Open Hearing was conducted by a Commission bench comprising Chairman CCP Farid Ahmad Tarar and Member Bushra Naz Malik under Section 29(c) of the Competition Act, 2010.
Opening the proceedings, Chairman CCP Farid Ahmad Tarar emphasised that the hearing is an initiative of the CCP to ascertain the facts that "real estate represents a major financial commitment for ordinary citizens. When investment decisions are influenced by false claims, misleading advertisements, undisclosed charges, or inaccurate representations about approvals and project features, the consequences for consumers can be significant.”
Consumers had the floor
The most striking feature of the hearing was the participation of a large number of consumers, real estate customers, and investors who came forward to share their experiences directly with the Commission.
They spoke about the problems they had encountered and the information on which their investment decisions had been based. Concerns raised included alleged misleading advertisements, false or unclear claims, hidden charges, and misrepresentation of project approvals, features, and other material information that could influence investment decisions.
For many, it was an opportunity to place their experiences and difficulties directly before the Commission and have their concerns heard in the presence of the industry and relevant authorities.
The industry was there to respond
The conversation was not one-sided.
Developers, builders, housing societies, real estate professionals, and industry representatives were present in significant numbers. They were given the opportunity to explain their position, respond to the concerns raised, and highlight the challenges faced by the industry.
Industry representatives also expressed their commitment to compliance with applicable laws, including the Competition Act, 2010.
Regulators joined the conversation
Another important feature of the hearing was the presence of institutions whose roles intersect with different aspects of the real estate sector.
Senior officials from NAB, CDA, RDA, FGEHA, the Ministry of Housing and Works, SECP, PPRA, PTA, IPO Pakistan, the Punjab Land Records Authority, the ICT Administration, and the Office of the District Magistrate participated in the hearing, bringing different regulatory perspectives to the same table.
The discussion also highlighted an important reality: issues affecting consumers in the real estate sector can cut across the jurisdictions of several authorities, making institutional coordination and clarity of regulatory roles particularly important.
The hearing is over. The process has not ended.
For CCP, the exercise does not end with listening.
The concerns, submissions, and recommendations placed before the Commission will now be examined as it develops its opinion on competition issues in the real estate sector.
The objective is a market where consumers receive accurate and verifiable information, investment decisions are based on facts, businesses market what they actually offer, and developers compete on the merits of their projects.
Consumers spoke. The industry responded. Regulators joined the conversation.
The concerns have been heard and recorded. Now the work moves forward.
