KARACHI: Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) and the University of Karachi have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Sindh police to avail the revolving fund facility of Rs50 million required for the analysis of forensic samples submitted by the police.

According to the MoU, the Sindh police would use this amount to pay the charges for the analysis of forensic samples at SFDL.

Prof Dr M. Iqbal Choudhary, director of the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, KU, on behalf of the SFDL and Additional IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon signed the agreement in a meeting held at Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) in Karachi University.

Other officials from Sindh police and a few officials of the international centre were also present in the meeting.

Based on the MoU, Sindh police and SFDL will avail the facility of a revolving fund account with an amount of Rs50m released by the finance department of police.

The account will be replenished by repaying money used from the account.

As per agreement, training workshops will also be arranged for police personnel for proper sample collection, transportation, submission and interpretation, and understanding of reports.

The SFDL is the second forensic DNA laboratory in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2021