PESHAWAR, Oct 12: As part of efforts to improve criminal identification process in the country, forensic science laboratories will be set up in the federal and provincial capitals by the end of this year, the chief of National Police Bureau said here on Thursday.

“The federal government has already allocated Rs2 billion for establishment of these laboratories,” NPB Director-General Dr Shoaib Suddle said.

He said that land had been acquired in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta for the project.

A team of Turkish forensic experts visited Pakistan in July to assist in launching the project, he said, adding that the team would submit its report next week.

Mr Suddle said that the report along with the project’s blueprint would be submitted to the Planning Commission for approval after which construction work would start formally.

He said the project for establishment of forensic laboratories had been approved in 2002.—APP