The Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) welcomed a delegation comprising Mr. Jing Shen (James)and Mr. Zhengxu Liu (Roy) from Shanghai Shenlian Biomedical Corporation, China, along with Dr. Danish Saleheen from Ziest Therapeutics, for a visit aimed at strengthening scientific engagement and exploring opportunities for future collaboration. The delegation was received by the Director General, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, and held a meeting with PAFDA’s senior management to discuss areas of mutual interest, particularly in the field of animal vaccination and related scientific advancements.

During their visit, the delegation toured PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories and gained insight into the Authority’s integrated testing, research, and regulatory capabilities. The visitors commended PAFDA’s advanced laboratory infrastructure, modern analytical facilities, and its commitment to scientific excellence, quality assurance, and internationally aligned regulatory practices. Both sides expressed optimism about fostering collaboration in areas of research, innovation, and technical knowledge exchange to support advancements in animal health and biosciences.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Vice Chancellor of the University of Narowal, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) to explore opportunities for academic collaboration and strengthen institutional linkages between higher education and applied scientific research. During the visit, he met with the Director General of PAFDA, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, along with the Authority’s senior management. The meeting provided a valuable platform to discuss PAFDA’s scientific mandate, state-of-the-art testing capabilities, and its role in supporting public health, agriculture, food safety, and drug quality through evidence-based regulatory services. Both institutions exchanged views on fostering collaboration in research, innovation, education, and professional capacity building, with particular emphasis on developing meaningful partnerships that bridge academia with practical scientific applications.

A significant focus of the discussions centered on the University of Narowal’s emerging academic programs in Allied Health Sciences, Nutrition, and Pharmacy. The delegation sought insights into PAFDA’s advanced laboratory infrastructure and explored opportunities for student training, research collaborations, internships, and knowledge exchange. Following the meeting, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was given a comprehensive tour of PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories, where he observed the Authority’s modern analytical facilities, internationally aligned testing practices, and robust quality assurance systems. He appreciated PAFDA’s scientific excellence and expressed keen interest in adopting similar standards and best practices within the University of Narowal’s academic and research framework. The visit concluded on a highly positive note, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing scientific education, promoting innovation, and establishing long-term collaboration that will contribute to academic excellence and strengthen Pakistan’s scientific and research ecosystem.

The Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA), in collaboration with the Center for Professional Development of Public Prosecutors (CPDPP), successfully concluded a two-day Court Testimony Training Program aimed at strengthening the legal and courtroom competencies of its scientific workforce. The program focused on equipping PAFDA scientists with the knowledge and practical skills required for the effective presentation of scientific evidence in judicial proceedings. Key sessions covered legal frameworks, rules of evidence, sector-specific case studies, examination-in-chief, cross-examination techniques, and a mock court exercise that provided participants with valuable hands-on courtroom experience.

Addressing the closing session, Director General PAFDA, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, appreciated the collaborative efforts of CPDPP and reaffirmed PAFDA’s commitment to continuous professional development. He emphasized the importance of empowering scientists with the legal and technical expertise required to support evidence-based enforcement and regulatory decision-making. The initiative reflects PAFDA’s ongoing commitment to developing a highly skilled scientific workforce while promoting professionalism, integrity, and excellence in the delivery of its regulatory responsibilities.

A distinguished delegation from the School of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) today, marking a step forward in academia-industry engagement. The delegation comprised Prof. Dr. Adeel Afzal, Head of Department, along with Prof. Dr. Adnan Mujahid and Dr. Amara Dar. The visiting scholars were received by Director General Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha and PAFDA's senior management team, who engaged them in productive discussions centered on PAFDA's scientific scope and capabilities. The conversation placed particular emphasis on building academic collaboration, strengthening research linkages, and enabling knowledge exchange between the two institutions in the fields of science and education.

Following the meeting, the delegation was taken on a comprehensive tour of PAFDA's laboratories, where they had the opportunity to observe the Authority's modern infrastructure and advanced analytical facilities firsthand. The visiting faculty expressed appreciation for the scale and sophistication of the setup, underscoring the potential for meaningful academic-scientific partnership. The engagement concluded on a positive note, reflecting a shared commitment between the University of the Punjab and PAFDA to deepen collaboration between academic research and applied scientific institutions — Science for Safety.

A delegation from the Punjab Halal Development Agency, comprising Ms. Memoona Raza and Ms. Saba Naz, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) and held a meeting with Director General PAFDA, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, along with the senior management of the Authority. During the meeting, constructive discussions were held regarding PAFDA’s testing services, particularly in the areas of halal food and cosmetics, with a focus on strengthening reliable, high-quality testing systems that support halal compliance and consumer confidence.

The delegation was also given a detailed tour of PAFDA’s Food Laboratory, where they were briefed on the Authority’s modern equipment, advanced facilities, and scientific testing capabilities. The visit concluded on a highly positive note, marking a fruitful engagement between both institutions and reinforcing prospects for future collaboration in halal testing, quality assurance, and standards-based consumer protection.

Prof. Dr. Aqif Anwar Chaudhry, Vice Chancellor, University of Education, Lahore, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) and held a meeting with Director General PAFDA, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, along with the senior management of the Authority. During the meeting, insightful discussions were held on PAFDA’s mandate, scientific capabilities, and advanced laboratory infrastructure, with particular focus on exploring avenues of mutual collaboration in research, innovation, education, and capacity building.

The engagement highlighted the importance of strengthening linkages between academic institutions and applied scientific research to support knowledge exchange, professional development, and evidence-based solutions. Prof. Dr. Aqif Anwar Chaudhry was also given a comprehensive tour of PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories, where he appreciated the Authority’s advanced infrastructure and scientific standards. The visit concluded on a positive note, marking the beginning of a promising partnership between academia and PAFDA.

Ms. Harriet Roos, Counsellor (Development) and Head of Cooperation at the High Commission of Canada to Pakistan, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) today. During the visit, she met with the Director General of PAFDA, Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, along with the authority’s senior management. A comprehensive presentation was delivered to brief the visiting delegation on PAFDA’s scope, mandate, and vision for ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory excellence across agriculture, food, and pharmaceuticals.

Ms. Roos appreciated PAFDA’s initiatives and expressed keen interest in the authority’s progressive approach toward strengthening quality assurance systems. The visit also included a detailed tour of PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories, where the delegation was briefed on the authority’s technical capabilities, modern processes, and scientific infrastructure. The engagement concluded on a positive note, marking a fruitful interaction and reinforcing opportunities for future collaboration between PAFDA and development partners.

Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, Director General of the Punjab Agriculture Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA), attended the closing ceremony of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion & Design (PIFD) Thesis Display 2026 as Chief Guest at its Lahore campus. The exhibition showcased the work of 355 graduating students across multiple disciplines, reflecting the creativity, innovation, and academic excellence fostered through design education.

PAFDA appreciates platforms that nurture young talent, promote creative thinking, and encourage future-focused innovation across diverse sectors. The event concluded on a high note, celebrating the achievements of emerging designers and their contributions to Pakistan’s creative industry. Prof. Dr. Pasha’s participation reflected PAFDA’s continued support for innovation, institutional engagement, and the development of skilled professionals contributing to national progress.

Chairman NAFSA, Mr. Ahmad Umair, visited the Punjab Agriculture Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) and held a meeting with Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, Director General PAFDA, along with the senior management of the Authority. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest and explore potential areas of collaboration in strengthening regulatory frameworks, food safety systems, and institutional coordination.

During the interaction, both sides expressed a shared commitment to promoting quality standards, enhancing cooperation, and addressing emerging challenges through collective efforts. The visit concluded on a positive note, reflecting a strong commitment towards continued engagement and collaboration between PAFDA and NAFSA for advancing food safety, regulatory excellence, and public health protection.

The Punjab Agriculture Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) successfully concluded a five-day capacity-building training program for officials of the AJK Food Authority. Conducted by PAFDA’s Food Testing Team, the program provided participants with technical exposure to key areas including food safety standards, laboratory testing techniques, quality assurance systems, and regulatory frameworks. The training was complemented by extensive hands-on sessions in PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories, enabling participants to gain practical understanding of modern food testing procedures and scientific quality control practices.

The program enhanced the participants’ technical and regulatory knowledge while strengthening their capacity to plan, establish, and operate modern food testing laboratory systems in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The training concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, marking another important milestone in professional development, institutional capacity building, and inter-agency collaboration. PAFDA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting scientific excellence, regulatory strengthening, and knowledge exchange with partner institutions for improved food safety systems.