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Federal Govt to Establish National Reference Laboratory at ICCBS

The Federal Ministry of National Food Security & Research (NFSR) has partnered with the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, part of the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi (UoK), to establish the National Reference Laboratory for the Department of Plant Protection (NRL-DPP).

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The agreement was signed during a formal ceremony held at the ICCBS, with Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, in attendance. Other notable participants included Federal Secretary NFSR Waseem Ajmal Chaudhary, Federal Secretary for Industries and Production Saif Anjum, Director General of Plant Protection Waqas Alam, University of Karachi Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Iraqi, Prof Dr Atta-ur-Rahman (Professor Emeritus and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology), ICCBS Director Prof Dr Farzana Shaheen, Senior Advisor Prof Dr Shahid Mansoor, and other distinguished guests.

The National Reference Laboratory for the Department of Plant Protection will operate under the Industrial Analytical Center (IAC) at the HEJ-ICCBS, with funding from the Federal Ministry of NFSR.

During his address, the Federal Minister emphasized the country’s urgent need to combat food insecurity and improve agricultural productivity. He urged ICCBS scientists to leverage their expertise to enhance the agriculture and livestock sectors. The Minister also underscored the poor quality of seeds produced domestically, urging the ICCBS Biotechnology Research Wing to prioritize the development of high-quality seeds for essential crops like cotton and wheat.

“The National Reference Laboratory is a vital step toward addressing challenges in agriculture and ensuring food security for the nation,” said the Minister. He commended ICCBS for its outstanding contributions to research and innovation.

Under the agreement, the NRL-DPP project is expected to be completed within 36 months, contingent upon timely approvals and funding. The facility will provide testing services for pesticide residue and other analyses on a commercial basis through the IAC. A Technical Evaluation Committee will oversee the project’s progress through annual reviews. The initiative may be renewed for additional three-year periods with mutual consent and further government funding.

The Federal Minister also visited ICCBS research facilities, where he was briefed by Prof Atta-ur-Rahman, Prof Farzana Shaheen, and Prof Shahid Mansoor about the center’s achievements and infrastructure.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s journey toward sustainable agriculture and improved food security.