ISLAMABAD – The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has imposed a total penalty of Rs 5 million on British Lyceum (Pvt.) Limited for running a misleading and deceptive advertisement, as per a press release issued on Wednesday.
The action followed an investigation initiated by the CCP after receiving several public complaints about the school’s promotional claims. The ad in question falsely asserted that teachers could earn up to Rs. 250,000 per month and claimed a project valuation of Rs. 3.7 billion. It also stated that British Lyceum was affiliated with “Cambridge Global UK” — an entity found to be dormant and lacking operational legitimacy.
Additionally, the advertisement included unverified claims that renowned educationists and technologists were members of the company’s Board of Directors, a statement that could not be substantiated during the investigation.
Following a thorough inquiry, the CCP concluded that British Lyceum had violated Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010, by engaging in deceptive marketing practices. As a result, the Commission imposed a penalty of Rs. 3 million under Section 10(2)(b) for misleading the public, and another Rs. 2 million penalty under Section 10(2)(a) for creating unfair competition and potentially harming other businesses.
The Commission also noted that British Lyceum submitted unsigned and inaccurate financial statements during the investigation. These procedural lapses, along with the SECP’s listing of the company among those suspected of unauthorized activities, were considered aggravating factors in determining the final penalty.
However, the company’s act of removing the misleading advertisement after the commencement of the investigation was taken as a mitigating factor and contributed to limiting the penalty amount.
The CCP reiterated its strong commitment to ensuring transparency in the marketplace and protecting consumers from deceptive and anti-competitive marketing tactics. It warned all businesses to adhere to ethical advertising standards or face strict legal consequences, including substantial financial penalties.