PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province inaugurated its first DNA laboratory at Khyber Medical College (KMC) on Tuesday.
Among the attendees at the ceremony were KP’s leading molecular biologists and the provincial government’s health secretary, Abid Majeed.
“When I joined Khyber Medical College in 2013, we only had a PCR machine, which is just one of the components of a DNA lab,” said KMC Principal Dr. Noorul Iman. “Today, our vision for a proper DNA-testing facility has materialized.”
Talking to Arab News, he said that the DNA lab had state-of-the-art American equipment and had cost Rs45 million ($405,900).
Asked how much the lab would charge for performing a DNA test, he said it would “hopefully be less than the Punjab Forensic Science Agency’s Rs25,000,” but added that no final pricing decision has yet been made.
Iman said the DNA lab should have been finished in 2013, but was delayed due to lack of funds. “However, the recent cases of child abuse in the province and other parts of the country have led to public awareness and probably influenced the provincial authorities’ decision to bankroll the project,” he said.
Jamil Khan, a molecular biologist who will be working at the lab, said he had previously worked at the National Forensic Science Agency, Islamabad and performed DNA tests in the wake of the 2007 Red Mosque operation in the federal capital and after the 2012 Baldia Town factory fire in Karachi.
Police Superintendent Shahzada Kokab Farooq told Arab News that, until now, law enforcement agencies in KP had to send samples to Lahore or Islamabad for DNA testing.
“DNA testing is required to identify individuals in various cases, such as suicide attacks, murders and sexual assaults,” he explained. “Setting up the lab in Peshawar will save time and make it easier for us to investigate important cases.”
Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province opens first DNA laboratory
Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province opens first DNA laboratory
Pakistan to discuss regional issues, economic ties at UAE summit this week
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to attend Sir Bani Yas Forum from Dec. 12-14, says Pakistan foreign office
- Senior statemen, policymakers expected to discuss security and economic cooperation at summit
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will attend the Sir Bani Yas Forum in the UAE from Dec. 12-14 to discuss regional issues with world leaders and explore economic partnerships, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
The three-day summit features senior statesmen, policymakers and global experts from around the world with discussions likely to revolve around key regional and international issues such as peace, security and economic cooperation.
Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, attended the 15th edition of the Bani Yas Forum last year. He is attending this year’s summit at the invitation of his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the foreign office said.
“During the Forum, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister will engage with international leaders and experts on matters related to regional stability, sustainable development, and the expansion of economic partnerships,” the statement said.
“He will also present Pakistan’s perspectives on promoting dialogue, addressing regional challenges, and fostering enhanced opportunities for economic cooperation.”
The Forum is expected to feature important discussions on Israel’s war in Gaza and the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East.
Pakistan has consistently criticized Israel for violating the ceasefire in Gaza and has called on the international community to intervene and ensure the fragile agreement does not collapse.
Islamabad has also been eyeing economic partnerships with regional allies, particularly Gulf countries, at such global summits in recent months.
It has entered into economic, defense, trade and investment agreements with traditional allies such as China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Central Asian states in recent months.
