KARACHI: The Provincial Health Secretary of Sindh, Mr. Rehan Iqbal Baloch, paid an official visit to the Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL), located at the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), a constituent of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi.
Mr. Baloch was warmly received by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, Director of ICCBS, alongside Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, Project Director and Incharge of the SFDL. He was accompanied by senior health officials including Additional Secretary Mr. Amir Zia Isran, Deputy Secretary Mr. Dadan Khan Lashari, and Additional Director of Public Health Dr. Shaista Jabeen.
During a high-level briefing, Prof. Dr. Raza Shah provided a comprehensive overview of ICCBS's pivotal role in advancing molecular medicine, drug discovery, and forensic sciences. He emphasized the importance of continued support from both philanthropic sources and the Government of Sindh in sustaining the center’s international standing and research excellence.
The Health Secretary lauded the efforts of the SFDL team and the ICCBS administration for their outstanding contributions to forensic science and public service. He reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening forensic capabilities, noting the lab’s essential role in assisting law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. “The SFDL is a testament to scientific excellence and institutional integrity, serving as a backbone for the criminal justice system in Sindh,” Mr. Baloch stated.
Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan presented key achievements of the SFDL, highlighting its analysis of over 8,800 forensic cases to date. He emphasized the lab’s adherence to global best practices and its distinction as Pakistan’s only ISO/IEC 17025-accredited forensic DNA and serology laboratory.
The SFDL also serves as a hub for forensic training, regularly conducting capacity-building programs for judges, investigating officers, medico-legal experts, prosecutors, and crime scene investigators across Sindh.
The visit concluded with a renewed pledge by the Government of Sindh to enhance forensic infrastructure, uphold justice through scientific methods, and drive innovation in public health and criminal investigations.
