The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected a request from the Competition Commission to correct what it described as an error in its earlier ruling related to fines imposed on sugar mills. The court also turned down review petitions filed in the case, 24 NewsHD TV reported.
In a seven-page decision written by Justice Shakeel Ahmed, the court declined to change its previous order, saying it could not rely on an alleged verbal understanding between the parties.
According to reports, the court stated that sending the matter back to the tribunal was not a minor mistake but a deliberate decision made after considering the case.
The Commission had claimed that, despite a verbal agreement, the case was sent to the wrong authority.
The judges, however, noted that only written judgments carry legal value, and informal statements or understandings cannot be treated as binding.
The court also ruled that the chairperson of the Competition Commission of Pakistan acted against constitutional provisions by using a casting vote to resolve a deadlock among the four members while hearing the sugar mills case.
The disagreement arose during the proceedings, after which the chairperson used the deciding vote to impose penalties.
When the matter was challenged, the tribunal declared the use of the casting vote invalid and sent the case back to the Commission.
The Supreme Court confirmed its earlier order directing the appellate tribunal to hear all sides and deliver a new decision within 90 days. It said that if the other party denies any agreement, a review cannot be allowed based solely on an oral claim.
