In a strategic initiative to improve livestock breeding and boost agricultural productivity, the Sindh government has announced the establishment of a joint laboratory with the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi (UoK). This new facility will focus on livestock genomics to enhance livestock breeds through genomic selection, supported by a World Bank-assisted project.
The decision was reached during a high-profile meeting at the Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research. Attendees included Syed Najmi Alam, Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh on Livestock and Fisheries; Dr Kazim Hussain Jatoi, Sindh Secretary Livestock and Fisheries; Dr Nazeer Hussain Kalhoro, DG Livestock; and ICCBS Director Prof Dr Farzana Shaheen. Eminent scientists and professors, such as Prof Dr Atta-ur Rahman, Professor Emeritus and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology, and Dr Shahid Mansoor, Senior Advisor, were also in attendance.
Highlighting the critical role of livestock in food security, Advisor Najmi Alam stressed the need for breed improvement to ensure enhanced food security and livestock productivity. He further encouraged the ICCBS to collaborate in areas of quality assurance for veterinary drugs and vaccines, as well as in monitoring circulating pathogens.
Secretary Dr Kazim Hussain Jatoi spoke on the laboratory’s advanced genome analysis capabilities, which he noted are both high-quality and affordable. He also acknowledged the Sindh Forensic and DNA Testing Laboratory (SFDL), referencing his experience as Health Secretary and underscoring SFDL’s impact on forensic science.
Prof Atta-ur Rahman praised the ICCBS’s scientific contributions and active collaboration with the Sindh government. He attributed the center’s success to a dedicated staff and world-class facilities that make it a center of excellence.
Prof Dr Farzana Shaheen reiterated ICCBS’s commitment to socio-economic progress in Sindh, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and research institutions to maximize the benefits of such advanced facilities.
Dr Shahid Mansoor proposed a Sindh Laboratory for Livestock Genomics, which would focus on genomic selection to optimize breed improvement and identification. This laboratory could become an essential resource for sustainable livestock development in the province.
To formalize this collaboration, an MoU will be prepared for departmental approvals, with additional MoUs planned for veterinary drug quality assurance and a One Health Laboratory for pathogen genomics. During their visit, the delegation toured the ICCBS Genome Center, Virology Center, and the Third World Center, where they gained insight into the center’s work across healthcare, agriculture, and forensic science.
This landmark partnership between the Sindh government and ICCBS aims to address key challenges in livestock breeding and agricultural productivity, reinforcing the province’s commitment to sustainable development and scientific innovation.