The Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) has expanded its operation to all eight Divisional Headquarters of Punjab with a cost of Rs 266 million and is planning to establish its evidence collection centres in all 36 districts of Punjab within a year.
This was informed during the opening session of a two-day DNA Strategy Symposium arranged by Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) in collaboration with the British High Commission at a local hotel on Monday.
Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Justice Muhammad Noor, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Secretary Prosecution Ali Murtaza, Director General NAB Syed Burhan Ali, Prosecutor General Punjab Syed Ehtisham Qadir, Additional IG CTD Rai Tahir, representatives of law enforcement agencies along with a large number of local and foreign scientists attended in the session.
Addressing the session, Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court Muhammad Noor said that forensic science facilities like Punjab Forensic Science Agency should be established in all provinces of Pakistan. Special Assistant to CM and former IG Rana Maqbool Ahmed said that the Punjab Forensic Science Agency has achieved great milestones in a short period. According to the Chief Minister’s vision, the PFSA is taking revolutionary steps in dispensation of justice to the oppressed. He said that Punjab Forensic Science Agency is providing guidance to all investigation agencies.
PFSA Director General Dr Muhammad Ashraf said that the agency has expanded its operation to all eight divisional headquarters of Punjab with a cost of Rs 266 million and we are planning to establish our evidence collection centers in all 36 districts of Punjab within a year. He told the participants that PFSA has trained more than 8,000 representatives of law enforcement agencies all over Pakistan. Dr Ashraf said that PFSA has helped the United States, Norway, United Kingdom, Egypt and many foreign agencies in solving high profile cases. He said that Forensic Science Laboratory and a specialised university will be established soon. He told that some legislative amendments are required for completing the databank of DNA samples. The participants appreciated PFSA’s role not only in conviction of terrorists but also in helping innocent with the use of modern infrastructure and technology.
