Bestway Cement enters auto sector after CCP nod

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the proposed acquisition of Al-Haj Automotive (Private) Limited by Bestway Automotive (Private) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bestway Cement Limited, following a Phase-I competition assessment conducted under the Competition Act, 2010.

According to a statement released on Saturday, Bestway Automotive (Private) Limited filed a pre-merger application on January 26, 2026, for the acquisition of Al-Haj Automotive (Private) Limited, under Section 11 of the Competition Act, 2010.

The transaction arises from an asset purchase agreement executed on December 22, 2025, between the merger parties.

Meanwhile, the acquirer, Bestway Automotive (Private) Limited, is a private limited company incorporated in Pakistan and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bestway Cement Limited, a company listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.

Bestway Automotive intends to assemble, market, and sell automobiles in Pakistan.

Al-Haj Automotive (Private) Limited, the target, is a private limited company engaged in the assembly, marketing, and sale of vehicles, including sedans and SUVs, and related spare parts.

CCP’s analysis established that both the acquirer and the target currently have no production or market share in the defined relevant market. Accordingly, the transaction will not result in any increase in market concentration or alter the market’s competitive structure, read the statement.

CCP determined that the proposed transaction does not result in the creation or strengthening of a dominant position, nor is it likely to substantially lessen competition or impede market entry. The Commission therefore found no competition concerns under the Competition Act, 2010, and has authorised the transaction in accordance with the applicable legal framework.

CCP was of the view that the entry of Bestway Automotive into Pakistan’s automobile sector through this acquisition reflects continued investor interest in the country’s automotive industry.

“Such transactions have the potential to enhance competition, promote efficiency, and support the development of local assembly capabilities, subject to market conditions and future operationalisation,” it added.