The Director General of the Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA), Akhtar A Bughio, paid an official visit to the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi, where he engaged in discussions on Halal certification, testing, and research advancements.

Prof Dr Farzana Shaheen, Director of ICCBS, and Prof Dr Syed Ghulam Musharraf, Incharge of the Halal Certification, Testing, and Research Services (HCTRS), warmly welcomed the DG PHA. The visit underscored the commitment of both institutions to ensuring the Halal status of products, processes, and services in Pakistan.

A spokesperson for ICCBS confirmed on Wednesday that during the visit, DG PHA held a meeting with key officials, including Prof Dr Farzana Shaheen, Prof Dr Syed Ghulam Musharraf, and Mufti Dr Syed Arif Ali Shah, General Manager of HCTRS.

During the discussions, Akhtar A Bughio praised the contributions of ICCBS in the field of science and research, particularly in Halal testing. He acknowledged the high standards maintained by HCTRS and explored the possibility of designating it as a food testing and Halal analysis laboratory for PHA in the future. Furthermore, he expressed interest in formalizing collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PHA and HCTRS.

Earlier, Prof Dr Farzana Shaheen provided a comprehensive briefing on the extensive scientific research and initiatives undertaken at ICCBS. Meanwhile, Prof Dr Syed Ghulam Musharraf emphasized that HCTRS remains the only public-sector research institution in Pakistan offering Halal certification services, reinforcing its commitment to quality and excellence in laboratory operations.

The visit concluded with Prof Dr Farzana Shaheen extending her gratitude to the DG PHA for his valuable time and commitment to strengthening Halal certification and research collaborations.