Islamabad, November 21, 2025 — The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued show cause notices to seventeen major private school systems for allegedly abusing their dominant market position by forcing parents to buy costly logo-branded notebooks, workbooks, uniforms, and other school supplies exclusively from designated vendors.
According to the CCP, the action aims to protect millions of students and their families from unfair pricing tactics and restrictive purchasing conditions. The enforcement move is based on a detailed suo motu inquiry triggered by repeated complaints from parents and guardians who reported arbitrary fee hikes, non-transparent sales policies, and mandatory purchase requirements for branded items.
Schools under investigation include several of Pakistan’s largest education networks: Beaconhouse, The City School, Lahore Grammar School (LGS), Headstart, Froebel’s, Roots International, Roots Millennium, KIPS, Allied Schools, Super Nova, Dar-e-Arqam, STEP School, Westminster International, United Charter School, The Smart School, and others. These institutions collectively operate hundreds of campuses and educate millions of students nationwide.
The CCP inquiry revealed that parents were compelled to purchase branded supplies only from school-authorized vendors, with students often barred from using generic alternatives available in open markets. Some schools also sold mandatory “study packs” through their online platforms, leaving families with no cheaper options.
The inquiry found that many branded study packs were up to 280% more expensive than comparable market items. The CCP concluded that such tying arrangements, exclusive vendor appointments, and high switching costs violated Sections 4(1) and 4(2)(a) of the Competition Act, 2010, restricting competition and harming small retailers.
Private schools have now been instructed to submit written responses within 14 days and justify why enforcement and penalties — which may reach up to 10% of annual turnover or PKR 750 million — should not be imposed.