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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s competition appeals tribunal has upheld a ruling against 20 medical centers and laboratories that colluded to fix prices and allocate customers for mandatory pre-departure health tests of workers bound for Gulf countries, the competition regulator said on Friday.

The case involves a captive market of low-income Pakistani laborers headed mainly to ��������, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Under the rules, these workers must undergo tests at centers approved by the Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association (GAMCA), a network of clinics authorized by Gulf states to carry out the mandatory checks.

The regulator found the centers and their five regional associations divided customers on a rotational basis, eliminating competition on price and service quality, and in some cases charging for unnecessary repeat tests.

“The CCP’s investigation concluded that fee fixation, territorial division and equal allocation of customers by GAMCAs violated the Competition Act, 2010,” the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) said in a statement.

“Any anti-competitive conduct will be dealt with strictly under the competition law,” it quoted its chairman, Dr. Kabir Sidhu, as saying.

The competition appeals tribunal upheld the findings but reduced the penalties from 20 million rupees ($70,000) per medical center and 10 million rupees ($35,000) per GAMCA to 2 million rupees ($7,000) percenter and 1 million rupees ($3,500) per GAMCA.

The CCP launched its inquiry after a complaint from the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association, which represents manpower exporters.

KARACHI: Senior Pakistani and US officials on Friday discussed next steps in economic investment and the development of a joint counterterrorism strategy in meetings aimed at deepening economic and defense ties between the two countries.

Pakistan’s commerce ministry said earlier this week it had finalized a strategy to implement a recently negotiated tariff deal with the United States that Islamabad hopes will unlock US investment.

Announced last month, the agreement set a reduced tariff rate of 19 percent on Pakistani imports — the lowest in the region — and is expected to revive bilateral trade while opening the way for US firms to participate in various Pakistani economic sectors.

In talks with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker in Islamabad, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s economy had “turned a corner” after a prolonged downturn, a shift recognized by three major international rating agencies.

“The Minister emphasized that the [trade] agreement would usher in a new era of economic collaboration — particularly in energy, mines and minerals, IT, cryptocurrency and other sectors — while expanding market access, attracting investment and fostering cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” the finance ministry said in a statement released after the meeting.

“He expressed hope that the deal would lead to increased US investment in Pakistan’s infrastructure, development projects and digital and mining sectors, which were ready for tangible action and progress,” it added.

Aurangzeb thanked Washington for its continued economic and development support and recalled recent meetings in the US with senior officials to finalize the trade deal.

In a video message after last month’s announcement, he had noted Pakistan’s goal was always to move “beyond the immediate trade imperative,” calling the US-Pakistan pact “a real win-win situation” for both nations.

Pakistan, he added, had “come a long way” in its overall strategic partnership with the US.

COUNTERTERRORISM PLAN

Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met US Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory LoGerfo in Islamabad to discuss closer cooperation to fight militant violence, and to work jointly on border security and anti-narcotics efforts.

Pakistan and the US have shared a defense relationship dating back to the Cold War era, collaborating over decades on regional stability and counterinsurgency in Afghanistan.

The latest talks between Naqvi and LoGerfo came days after Washington designated the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade faction as “terrorist” organizations.

Both have carried out coordinated attacks in Balochistan targeting security personnel, civilians and foreign nationals working on major development projects.

“Naqvi added that counterterrorism dialogue will help in creating a joint strategy,” the interior ministry said in a statement. “He termed the US decision to designate the banned BLA and banned Majeed Brigade as Foreign terrorist organizations a commendable step, expressing hope that Pakistan-US cooperation will yield positive results in eliminating terrorism.”

Naqvi also noted that bilateral ties had improved since President Donald Trump took office, citing transparency, mutual trust and cooperation as the hallmarks of the relationship and called it an opportune time to strengthen engagement in all areas.