Pakistan’s Competition Commission (CCP) has given the green light to AZT Foundation for acquiring a shareholding in Route2Health (Private) Limited. The shares were purchased from individual stakeholders, including Tausif Ahmad Khan, Zainub Abbas, and Javaid Hussain, under a formal Share Purchase Agreement.
What the Deal Involves
AZT Foundation, a UAE-based entity set up to manage and hold assets for investors, is stepping into Pakistan’s health supplement sector through this transaction. Route2Health, the target company, is a known player in the local nutraceutical and herbal supplements market, producing and distributing health-focused products across the country.
Regulator’s Review
The CCP examined the deal to determine whether it might distort competition. Since AZT Foundation itself has no direct operations in Pakistan’s nutraceutical industry, the acquisition was classified as a conglomerate merger—meaning the two businesses operate in different areas with no competitive overlap.
Why Approval Was Granted
After assessing market conditions, the CCP concluded that the transaction would not lead to a dominant market position or restrict competition in the supplements sector. Approval was therefore issued under Section 11 of the Competition Act, 2010.
Bigger Picture
The nutraceutical and herbal supplements industry in Pakistan has been expanding steadily, driven by rising consumer awareness about wellness and preventive healthcare. While this acquisition does not raise immediate competition concerns, it reflects growing investor interest in the sector, particularly from overseas entities looking to tap into Pakistan’s evolving health and wellness market.
