LAHORE – South Asia’s most modern forensic laboratory is being built in Lahore, which will prove to be a milestone in eradicating crimes, bringing criminals to justice, investigating crimes on scientific lines and providing justice to people, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday.
He was addressing a meeting during a visit to the under-construction Punjab Forensic Science Agency near the Thokhar Niaz Baig. The Punjab Police inspector general, Punjab home secretary, Punjab health secretary and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.
Shahbaz directed officials to accelerate construction work of the forensic laboratory. Forensic Laboratory Project Director Nayyar Mehmood gave a detailed briefing to the CM. Shahbaz said that the project is of international standards and has vital importance, which would not only help curb crimes but also trace criminals involved in heinous crimes for bringing them to justice.
He said that establishment of this unique and latest laboratory would not only benefit Punjab but other provinces as well. The CM said that protection of life and property of citizens and eradication of crimes is top priority of the Punjab government and establishment of the forensic lab is an important step in this direction. He said that every life is precious for the Punjab government and funds are being provided for this important project by curtailing other expenditure.
Shahbaz said that most of the work on this project would be completed by March 31 and the laboratory would start functioning by its full capacity within a few weeks. The CM said that modern training of laboratory experts has been arranged abroad and crime scene investigation, computer forensic, pathology, polygraph readers, toxicology, trace chemistry, fingerprints and death scene investigation and other sections are being established in the forensic laboratory.
He said that high standards of construction work are being ensured and only local material is being used for implementation of the project. Shahbaz said that he would preside over a meeting on January 27 to review progress of the project and remove any hurdles in this regard. Briefing the CM, Mehmood said that the laboratory is being constructed on 0.2 million square feet land.
He said that a public awareness campaign would also be launched by holding seminars and the print and electronic media would be requested to highlight the forensic laboratory’s importance. Earlier, the CM inspected different sections and crime investigation units of the laboratory and asked workers about their foreign training.
South Asia’s best forensic lab being built in Lahore
