The Federal Ministry of National Food Security & Research (NFSR) has granted Rs. 400 million to the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi (UoK) to enhance national research and regulatory facilities. The funding agreement was officially signed on Monday between the NFSR and the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, a key constituent of ICCBS, marking a significant step towards strengthening Pakistan’s agricultural and chemical research infrastructure.
Under this agreement, the allocated funds will be utilized for the upgrading and operationalization of the Central Plant Quarantine Laboratory (CPQL) and the Federal Pesticide Testing & Reference Laboratory (FPTRL) at the Department of Plant Protection (DPP). This move follows a previous agreement signed in the presence of Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, on January 7, 2025.
The signing ceremony took place at the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, where Director General of the Department of Plant Protection, Tahir Abbas, and ICCBS Director Prof Dr M Raza Shah formally endorsed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. The event was attended by distinguished academicians and officials, including Prof Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, Professor Emeritus and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Senior Advisor Prof Dr Shahid Mansoor, Prof Dr Syed Ghulam Musharraf, Dr Shakil Ahmed, and other key representatives.
During the meeting, Prof. Raza Shah provided an overview of ICCBS’s contributions to scientific research, emphasizing its world-class facilities and ongoing research initiatives. He highlighted the importance of the federal ministry’s support in enhancing the operational capacity of CPQL and FPTRL, reinforcing Pakistan’s regulatory and testing capabilities in plant protection and pesticide quality control.
Prof. Shah also acknowledged ICCBS’s legacy as a globally recognized research institution, citing its Center for Bioequivalence Studies and Clinical Research (CBSCR) as a notable achievement. CBSCR, a component of the Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, boasts Pakistan’s first clinical trial facility designed to meet international standards.
Director General DPP Tahir Abbas welcomed the collaboration, stating that the agreement would play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient functioning of CPQL and FPTRL. He underscored the importance of such partnerships in enhancing Pakistan’s capacity for scientific regulation and agricultural protection.
Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman further elaborated on ICCBS’s research and academic programs, emphasizing the institution’s contributions to national and international scientific advancements.
According to the agreement, Prof Dr Raza Shah and Director General DPP Tahir Abbas will serve as focal points for ICCBS and the federal government, respectively, overseeing the execution and coordination of all related activities. Additionally, a Technical Evaluation Committee will be established to monitor the project’s overall progress and ensure effective implementation.
This collaboration marks a significant step toward bolstering Pakistan’s scientific research infrastructure, ensuring compliance with international standards in pesticide testing and plant quarantine measures.