PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to complete recruitment process against the newly approved vacancies of regional forensic laboratory in Swat on urgent basis.

He also directed them to ensure provision of required funds to the newly established laboratory so that the facility could be fully functionalised and the goals of its establishment could be achieved, said an official statement issued here on Sunday.

Chairing a meeting, he directed the quarters concerned to complete all the requirements and formalities including hiring of technical experts to functionalise the digital forensic audio visual section and explosive section of forensic science laboratory in Peshawar.

The meeting was given a detailed briefing about various matters to strengthen the forensic science laboratory in Peshawar and to fully functionalise the newly established regional forensic laboratory in Swat.

The meeting was also informed about the mandate, framework, operational and financial budget, existing disciplines, achievement, future plan of action and issues faced by these laboratories.

The meeting was told that established in 1976, the forensic science laboratory in Peshawar had been providing services to police, National Accountability Bureau, Anti-Corruption Establishment, excise, taxation and narcotics control, Pakistan Customs and other entities in civil and criminal cases. During the year 2019 only, it examined 68,136 cases.

Officials informed the meeting that FSL Peshawar was refurbished in three different phases and recently new sections of the laboratory were constructed including explosive section and digital audio visual section.

“Various training courses are being conducted to enhance the capacity of FSL, Peshawar, SOPs for all sections have been finalised and preparation of quality manual, modern training manual and safety manual are in progress” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the meeting was also briefed about the progress made so far to functionalise the newly established regional forensic laboratory in Swat.

The meeting was told that established in collaboration with UNDP, the laboratory would cater for the needs of forensic tests of the entire Malakand region.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2020