According to CCP officials, the fine was recovered by freezing PIA’s bank account after the national carrier failed to comply with the penalty order issued in 2009. The fine was originally imposed over an 80 percent increase in Hajj fares in 2008, which the commission deemed as anti-competitive and exploitative.

PIA had challenged the CCP’s order in court and secured a stay, delaying the penalty’s implementation. However, the Supreme Court later referred the case to the Competition Appellate Tribunal for further proceedings.

The Appellate Tribunal ultimately dismissed PIA’s appeal after the airline’s legal team repeatedly failed to appear and pursue the case. With the appeal out of the way, the CCP took swift action to recover the fine by freezing the airline’s account.

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Officials said the recovery marks a significant milestone in the enforcement of competition laws in Pakistan and sets a precedent for holding powerful institutions accountable for market manipulation.