LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz formally inaugurated the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) on Saturday described as ‘South Asia’s first and most advanced Punjab Science Enclave’, bringing high-tech agriculture, food and drug-testing laboratories under one roof.

The inauguration also marked the launch of PAFDA’s laboratory operations, while the premier and the CM laid the foundation stone of a hostel project for women scientists.

The ceremony was attended by diplomats from 20 countries.

In his address, Shehbaz commended Maryam for her performance.

The premier and the CM later visited various departments of PAFDA and reviewed its operations. They inspected agriculture, food and drug-testing laboratories and observed the sampling procedures being followed.

PAFDA Director General Dr Talat Naseer Pasha said that the authority had 232 scientists, most of them gold medalists, with women comprising 70pc of the workforce. Scientists from other provinces are also working at the facility.

He said PAFDA would ensure quality standards for food, agriculture and pharmaceutical products, with capabilities including nutrient profiling, microbiological safety testing and verification of ingredients.

The authority would reduce reliance on foreign laboratories for quality certification and help restore international confidence in “Made in Pakistan” products.

He said a high-tech drug testing laboratory had been established with technical assistance from England and Turkiye. He said 42 high-tech machines worth Rs4.4bn had already been installed at PAFDA, while an additional 565 machines would be provided in near future.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2026