Judges and legal experts on Monday underscored the importance of strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to enhance the enforcement of competition law in Pakistan.
Speakers expressed during a high-level symposium titled “Leadership, Professionalism in Quasi-Judicial Role and Competition Law Jurisprudence”, organized by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) . The event brought together prominent judges, legal scholars, and practitioners to exchange insights and deliberate on key challenges in the evolving field of competition law.
The keynote address was delivered by Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court (LHC) , one of Pakistan’s foremost jurists in constitutional and competition law. Justice Hassan spoke on “Maintainability of Writ Petitions – Doctrine of Ripeness”, citing his landmark judgments that have significantly influenced the interpretation and application of competition law in Pakistan.
The symposium featured distinguished speakers from both Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Deputy District Judge Ghazan Mahmood, a senior member of the Judiciary of England and Wales with over 25 years of experience, presented on “Evidence in Civil Cases”, offering comparative perspectives on how evidentiary standards in the UK contribute to fair adjudication in civil matters.
District Judge Sufiyan Rana, another senior figure from the UK judiciary specializing in mediation and judicial training, discussed “Leadership and Professionalism in Quasi-Judicial Roles.” He emphasized the critical role of ethics, transparency, and continuous judicial education, sharing best practices from his experience across the UK and Europe.
Adding an academic dimension to the discourse, Dr. Ahmad Ghouri, Associate Professor at the University of Sussex and a renowned expert in commercial and international law, explored the complexities of cross-border regulatory frameworks and their implications for competition law. He stressed the need for harmonization and policy coherence in a globalized market environment.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Chairman of the CCP, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to promoting a competitive and transparent economic landscape. He highlighted the importance of principled decision-making and strengthening the Commission’s quasi-judicial functions to ensure a level playing field for businesses.
Participants praised the initiative for fostering meaningful dialogue and promoting greater synergy between judicial and regulatory institutions, seen as essential for building a robust competition regime in Pakistan.
