ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP):Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration on policy research, market analysis, and the development of modern, market-aligned policy solutions.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Executive Director SDPI Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said MoUs should translate into concrete outcomes, stressing that SDPI works closely with the government but remains independent. “It is easy to point out lacunae, but our responsibility is to offer solutions and a clear way forward,” he sai, said a press release.
Dr Suleri expressed SDPI’s readiness to support CCP through in-depth studies and research, citing SDPI’s previous work on sugar production and the tobacco sector. He said SDPI could also help disseminate research findings and candidly share facts that regulatory bodies may not be able to communicate directly while raising public awareness on competition-related issues.
Dr Suleri said SDPI would focus in 2026 on training in AI-based data synthesis, adding that artificial intelligence should not only generate content but also challenge prevailing thinking systems and interrogate existing data.
Chairman CCP Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said that academics and researchers belong to the same tribe as they generate and hypothesize knowledge through evidence-based inquiry. He said the partnership with a leading think tank would help review existing policies and propose modern solutions aligned with market realities.
Dr Sidhu noted that many current policies are outdated and require critical review to keep pace with evolving national and global trends, adding that a Centre of Excellence has been established to undertake this task. He emphasized that a market-based system must serve the interests of the entire society, not a select few.
The CPP Chairman vowed that the Commission would sign MoUs with all the national think tanks to enhance its capabilities for detailed and comprehensive review of the national policies and regulatory frameworks.
CCP Member Salman Amin, recalling his association with SDPI since its inception, said the institute’s forums and research resource library had long been rich sources of knowledge. He said SDPI’s quality research had guided him in producing critical and in-depth policy analyses over the years.
The MoU was signed by Dr Sajid Amin Javed, Deputy Executive Director SDPI, and Salman Amin, Member CCP, marking the formalization of cooperation between the two institutions to advance evidence-based policymaking and competitive markets in Pakistan.
Under the MoU, the SDPI and CCP will collaborate on evidence-based policy research, review outdated regulatory frameworks, and develop modern, market-aligned solutions. Under the MoU, SDPI will support CCP through in-depth studies, policy analysis, dissemination of research findings, public awareness initiatives, and capacity building, including future training on AI-based data synthesis, with the shared objective of promoting competitive markets that benefit society as a whole.