FAISALABAD, April 11: A research centre has been set up jointly by Pakistan and the United States of America at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad to conduct research on various diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart.

The centre “Functional and Nutraceutical Food Research Section” was established at the National Institute of Food Science and Technology on Monday under the Pakistan-US joint academic research programme.

According to a handout issued by the university, the programme had been initiated in 2005 with the collaboration of United States Agency for International Development, Ministry of Science and Technology and Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.

Objectives of the research are to highlight the anti-cancer perspective of healthful compounds found in natural food sources.

Two principal investigators Dr Masood Sadiq and Dr Hang Xao from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA will look after research work at the centre. Dr Sadiq has expertise in food and nutrition and Dr Xao is well versed in studying cancer preventive effects of dietary components.

The Pak-US joint project is an attempt to open new horizons in science and technology with the improved lifestyle and help promote the social well-being of the individual.

Moreover, this may serve as a tool to developing and establishing linkages between the partner counties and to further strengthen the research facilities of host institutions in Pakistan.

SHOOTOUT: Police claim to have killed three alleged robbers in a shootout on Risalewala Road in the limits of Jhang Bazaar police late on Sunday night.

The police claimed four armed men on two motorcycles looted cash and two cell phones from Anis near Chartered Bank Chowk. They also snatched cash from a citizen near Ayub Research gate on Jhang Road.

On being informed, the police chased the robbers who opened fire on the police party which was retaliated. In the crossfire, three alleged robbers identified as Bilal, Yasir and Arshad died on the spot while their fourth accomplice managed to escape.

The police claimed that the accused used to rob people in Elite Force uniform and were wanted by different police stations. All SHOs have been directed by their high-ups to trace the cases registered against the accused.