Forensic scientists plan to take to streets
LAHORE: Job uncertainty, unwritten flawed policies, the rude and hegemonic behaviour of top bosses have marred the performance of forensic scientists at the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) and they plan to take to streets, Pakistan Today has reliably learnt.
Talking to Pakistan Today on condition of anonymity since he would be fired if he discloses his identity, a forensic scientist working in DNA and Serology section of the PFSA said that the additional director generals (ADGs) are exploiting forensic scientists, owing to their contractual nature of the job in the agency. “The additional director generals have hegemony in the agency. They fire any forensic scientist without assigning any reason at any time they wish. They even do not allow them to collect their personal items,” he stated.
Citing an example, the forensic scientist said that the head of DNA and Serology section was fired without being assigned any reason. The source claimed that there are many precedents where forensic scientists have been ridiculed and terminated for no apparent reason.
Another forensic scientist who also did not wish to be named said the additional director generals rule the roost in the agency and they do not have any respect for the scientists. “How can PFSA deliver accurate and authentic forensic results when the scientists are working in uncertainty and in an atmosphere of fear.”
The sources claimed that about 50-60 forensic scientists even reached Thokar Niaz Baig to protest flawed policies, harsh treatment and contractual jobs. However, they came back to their work since former ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was coming to Lahore from Islamabad the same day and road were blocked for this purpose.
The sources said that senior forensic scientists have no honour in the agency and they are also fired without serving show cause notice. “The administration is applying weird tactics to get an apology from forensic scientific who plan agitation to protest such policies. There are even allegations of police being called in the agency to torture scientists.”
Upon being contacted, PFSA Director Administration Muhammad Akram said he could not share such kind of information to the media.
The Punjab Forensic Science Agency is spread over 53Kanals on Thokhar Niaz Baig, Lahore and has 14 disciplines under one roof .It has had expanded its operations to all eight divisional headquarters of Punjab at a cost of Rs266 million.
The PFSA claims it has trained more than 8,000 representatives of law enforcement agencies all over the country and has helped the United States, Norway, United Kingdom, Egypt and many other countries in solving high profile cases.
The PFSA plans to establish a forensic science laboratory and a specialised university. Following Punjab, the Sindh government is also in the process of making a law to set up a forensic science agency in the province as part of its efforts to revamp the criminal justice system to carry out investigations into crimes in an impartial manner with the help of experts. Sindh chief minister visited PFSA recently for this purpose.