Pakistan regulator probes housing schemes over misleading location ads

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has launched an inquiry into several housing schemes for allegedly using misleading advertisements regarding their locations. The probe focuses on claims that these developments marketed themselves as being based in Islamabad, despite their actual sites falling outside the city’s official administrative boundaries.

M/s. Eighteen Housing Project is among the developments currently facing scrutiny. The regulator is examining whether these promotional campaigns violate the Competition Act by providing consumers with an inaccurate impression of where the projects are situated. Authorities are reviewing advertisements and marketing materials to determine if prospective buyers were misled about the status or location of the properties.

If the CCP finds that these practices constitute deceptive marketing, it has the authority to impose significant financial penalties. Under the Competition Act, the commission can levy fines of up to Rs75 million or an amount equivalent to 10 percent of the undertaking’s annual turnover.