The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition of shares in Faysal Bank Limited by Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited after reviewing the transaction under the Competition Act, 2010.
According to the commission, Maple Leaf Cement acquired the shares through open market transactions on the Pakistan Stock Exchange during 2025 as part of its investment in the banking sector.
In one instance, the commission examined a share acquisition that had already been completed before regulatory approval was obtained. After assessing the case, CCP granted ex post facto authorization, noting that the transaction did not raise competition concerns. The company was directed to ensure compliance with pre merger approval requirements under the Competition Act and the Competition Merger Control Regulations 2016 in future transactions.
The regulator also approved Maple Leaf Cement’s plan to acquire additional shares in Faysal Bank, which will increase the company’s overall stake in the bank.
CCP conducted Phase I competition assessments and determined that the businesses of the two companies operate in separate sectors, with Maple Leaf Cement engaged in cement manufacturing and Faysal Bank operating in commercial banking.
The commission concluded that the transactions do not create any horizontal or vertical overlap between the companies and are unlikely to harm competition or create a dominant market position. Accordingly, the deals were authorized under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Competition Act, 2010.
The regulator said such investments support capital formation and encourage broader investor participation in Pakistan’s financial sector while maintaining competitive market conditions.
Syed Wajid Ali Shah Chife Minster Punjab Pakistan