ISLAMABAD, September 3: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and the National Forensics Agency (NFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and strengthen the use of forensic expertise in competition law investigations.
The agreement was signed at the CCP headquarters in Islamabad in the presence of CCP Chairman Farid Ahmad Tarar and NFA Director General Jawad Ahmad Dogar. CCP Member Bushra Naz Malik and senior officials from both institutions attended the ceremony.
The partnership aims to improve CCP’s investigative capabilities through access to advanced forensic tools, scientific analysis and technical expertise, particularly for cases involving digital and electronic evidence.
Forensic support to strengthen investigations
Speaking at the signing ceremony, CCP Chairman Farid Ahmad Tarar said modern competition law enforcement increasingly requires reliable evidence, scientific examination and specialised technical capabilities alongside legal frameworks.
He said cooperation with NFA would help the commission enhance its investigation process and respond more effectively to emerging challenges as business activities and evidence continue to move into the digital environment.
Tarar added that forensic capabilities had become increasingly important in complex investigations involving electronic records and other forms of digital evidence.
NFA offers digital and document forensic expertise
NFA Director General Jawad Ahmad Dogar described CCP as a key national institution working to promote fair competition and safeguard the interests of citizens.
He highlighted NFA’s specialised forensic capabilities and assured the commission of technical assistance in areas including digital forensics, document examination and other forensic disciplines.
Dogar said the MoU represented the beginning of a long-term institutional partnership aimed at improving evidence-based enforcement.
Capacity building and knowledge sharing planned
Under the agreement, CCP and NFA will establish a cooperation framework covering forensic examination, technical support, training and capacity building.
The collaboration will enable CCP to benefit from NFA’s scientific expertise in collecting, handling and analysing evidence while promoting knowledge sharing and closer coordination between the two institutions.
Officials said the initiative would support more effective competition law enforcement by equipping investigators with modern forensic capabilities to address increasingly complex commercial and digital challenges.
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