ISLAMABAD, Sept 30 The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Wednesday accepted the assurances given by China Mobile and Ufone for their misleading advertisements and decided not to impose any penalty on them.

However, the companies have been warned that in future CCP will take a very strict view of non-compliance or contravention of the Competition Ordinance, 2007.

According to CCP, both Ufone and China Mobile have assured through an undertaking in writing that they will comply with the provisions of the regulations.

Earlier, the CCP had issued show-cause notices to both the companies for misleading advertisements.

The CCP had observed that Zong's advertisement '8 Anay per call' advert was false and misleading and in violation of Section 10 of the Competition Ordinance, 2007.

The CCP noted that the said advertisement lacked reasonable basis regarding the price, call rates, or inclusiveness of government taxes being not specified and its character and the duration of call at which the rates were applicable was not stipulated clearly.

The CCP observed that the televised advertisement of Ufone's Uwon Package did not mention that the advertised rates, to call other networks, are applicable on per minute calls.

As per the submissions of Ufone the advertisement contains a disclaimer. However, the same is in English and was neither visible nor readable.

The order further states that, such information must be clearly conveyed to customers as the advertised call rates increase, when 21 per cent FED are included in the advertised call rates.

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