| Case ID |
0f7a4273-fb2d-4835-ac23-abbc5364dc29 |
| Body |
View case body. Login to View |
| Case Number |
F. No. 153/OFT/MEDINST/CCP/14 |
| Decision Date |
Mar 26, 2019 |
| Hearing Date |
|
| Decision |
The Competition Commission of Pakistan found that the respondents engaged in deceptive marketing practices by advertising their recognition and accreditation by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) after being instructed to cease admissions due to a lack of accreditation. The commission held that this constituted a violation of Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010, which prohibits misleading advertising practices. Consequently, a fine of PKR 7,500,000 was imposed on each of the identified institutions for their non-compliance with PMDC's directives regarding admissions for the 2013-2014 session. This ruling emphasizes the importance of regulatory compliance in the education sector and aims to protect prospective students from misleading information. |
| Summary |
In this case, the Competition Commission of Pakistan addressed complaints against several private medical colleges for deceptive marketing practices. The institutions were found to have misled prospective students by advertising their accreditation by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) despite having received directives to cease admissions due to lack of accreditation. This ruling is significant in establishing the standards for medical education and ensuring that institutions adhere to regulatory requirements to maintain the integrity of medical education in Pakistan. The decision highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in educational institutions, especially in the context of student admissions and the marketing of educational programs. The Commission's ruling aims to safeguard the interests of students and uphold the quality of medical education in the country. The case underscores the need for strict enforcement of laws governing educational institutions and serves as a warning against deceptive marketing practices. Keywords such as 'deceptive marketing', 'medical education', 'accreditation', and 'regulatory compliance' are critical in understanding the implications of this case. |
| Court |
Competition Commission of Pakistan
|
| Entities Involved |
Competition Commission of Pakistan,
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council
|
| Judges |
MS. VADIYYA S. KHALIL,
DR. SHAHZAD ANSAR
|
| Lawyers |
Malik Qamar Afzal, Advocate Supreme Court
|
| Petitioners |
Abid Hussain,
Muhammad Anwar,
Malik Qamar Afzal,
Dr. Farah Naz Zaidi,
M. Naeem Sidiqui,
Prof. Dr. Sarosh Majid Salaria,
Prof. M. Zaheer Abbasi,
Qazi Ghulam Raqeeb,
Mehboob Qadir Shah,
Ali Raza
|
| Respondents |
Messrs Bhitai Dental and Medical College, Mirpurkhas,
Messrs Independent Medical College, Faisalabad,
Messrs Hashmat Medical and Dental College, Gujrat,
Messrs Abbottabad International Medical College, Abbottabad,
Messrs Azad Jammu and Kashmir Medical College, Muzaffarabad,
Messrs Women Medical College, Abbottabad,
Messrs Pak Red Crescent Medical and Dental College, Lahore,
Messrs Mohi-ud-Din Islamic Medical College, Mirpur
|
| Citations |
2019 SLD 1903,
2019 CLD 785
|
| Other Citations |
2010 CLD 1478,
103 FTC 110 (1984),
2018 SCMR 1310
|
| Laws Involved |
Competition Act, 2010,
Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Act, 2012
|
| Sections |
2(1)(q),
10,
37(1),
36B
|