The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Friday said it had issued show-cause notices to seventeen major private school systems for allegedly forcing parents to buy branded supplies from exclusive authorised vendors.

“The CCP has issued show cause notices to seventeen major private school systems for allegedly abusing their dominant position by compelling parents to purchase expensive, logo-branded notebooks, workbooks, and uniforms exclusively from school-authorised vendors,” a press release by the CCP said.

“The action has been taken to safeguard millions of school-going children and their families from unfair pricing practices,” it added.

According to the commission, the enforcement action follows a detailed suo motu inquiry initiated on the basis of numerous complaints from parents, guardians, and other stakeholders.

It said that the complainants alleged “arbitrary fee hikes, non-transparent selling practices, and the bundling of mandatory branded school supplies, effectively leaving families with no choice but to purchase these items at inflated........

© Dawn Business