Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority hosted a delegation from General Headquarters Pakistan Army, led by Brigadier Asad Khan, for a collaborative engagement focused on knowledge exchange and institutional strengthening. The visiting team appreciated PAFDA’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, highly qualified scientific workforce, and advanced Lab Information Management System (LIMS), recognizing the authority as a leading facility in laboratory testing and analysis.

The discussion emphasized opportunities for mutual collaboration in testing, training, and capacity building, enabling both institutions to benefit from shared expertise and resources. The delegation expressed interest in learning from PAFDA’s operational and technical frameworks, while also exploring avenues for PAFDA to support the development of laboratory systems within GHQ. The engagement reflects a shared commitment to continuous improvement, professional training, and maximizing the impact of modern laboratory capabilities.

The Director General of Environmental Protection Agency Punjab (EPA), along with the Environmental Monitoring Team, visited Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority for a collaborative engagement focused on strengthening institutional capacity and technical alignment. During the meeting, EPA representatives highlighted the opportunity to benefit from PAFDA’s evolution as a fully operational, state-of-the-art authority with advanced infrastructure, skilled human resource, and growing institutional expertise. The discussion emphasized how PAFDA’s experience could support EPA in establishing and upgrading environmental monitoring laboratories and developing integrated data dashboards.

The interaction also explored avenues for long-term collaboration, including knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and the development of interoperable systems to enable informed, data-driven policymaking. EPA officials appreciated PAFDA’s global collaborations, strategic planning, and its forward-looking 10-year vision. As a next step, EPA invited PAFDA leadership to visit their facilities to provide further guidance, reinforcing a shared commitment to building stronger regulatory systems and advancing evidence-based environmental governance in Punjab.

At a recent session hosted by COTHM Group of Colleges in collaboration with Highfield Qualifications, stakeholders gathered to advance dialogue on food safety challenges in Pakistan. Addressing the forum, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, Director General of the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority, emphasized the authority’s role as a neutral, science-driven institution working to enhance trust in food safety systems. He highlighted how PAFDA’s laboratory infrastructure, built on rigorous scientific standards and transparent governance, can strengthen testing mechanisms and ensure reliable analysis across the food supply chain.

The session brought together experts from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies to explore collaborative solutions for Pakistan’s evolving food sector. Discussions focused on strengthening testing frameworks, expanding professional training, and fostering closer coordination between institutions to address emerging food safety risks. Participants underscored the importance of integrating scientific research, modern laboratory practices, and skill development to build a more resilient and credible system. Such engagements reflect PAFDA’s broader mandate to safeguard public health through evidence-based practices and partnerships that align industry growth with consumer protection.

The Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) welcomed Ms. Betty Ma, Global Trade Manager, Fulaier Ltd., China, and Dr. Abdur Rahman Sial, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Animal Sciences, UVAS Jhang Campus, for a visit aimed at exploring opportunities for collaboration between industry, academia, and regulatory institutions. During the visit, the delegation was briefed on PAFDA’s advanced laboratory infrastructure, analytical capabilities, and its integrated approach to food, agriculture, and drug regulation.

The discussions focused on potential areas of mutual interest, including research collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strengthening scientific and technical capacity. The visit highlighted the importance of building connections across international industry stakeholders and academic institutions to support innovation and regulatory excellence. It also reflected PAFDA’s ongoing efforts to engage with global and local partners in advancing standards and fostering a collaborative ecosystem for scientific development.

The Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) hosted a training workshop organized by the Punjab Charities Commission, focused on strengthening the role of civil society organizations as growth partners in government-led development. The session brought together stakeholders to discuss how collaborative frameworks between the public sector and civil society can contribute to more effective governance and sustainable social impact. The workshop was graced by Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi, Home Secretary Punjab and Chairperson Punjab Charities Commission, as Chief Guest.

In his address, Dr. Qazi emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and structured collaboration in achieving long-term development goals. He highlighted how institutions like PAFDA can serve as key platforms for capacity building and inter-sectoral engagement. The workshop underscored the growing recognition of civil society as an essential partner in driving inclusive progress and strengthening institutional effectiveness across Punjab.

PAFDA had the honor of hosting Mr. Richard Sprenger, Chairman of the Highfield Group, a globally recognized certification and accreditation body, during his recent visit to the Authority. With over six decades of international experience in food safety, training, and certification, Mr. Sprenger is widely regarded as one of the leading experts in the field. His visit marked an important step towards strengthening PAFDA’s engagement with global institutions and aligning its systems with international best practices.

During his visit, Mr. Sprenger was given a comprehensive overview of PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure, including its advanced analytical systems, quality assurance frameworks, and digital workflows. He visited multiple laboratory units and observed the Authority’s commitment to accuracy, traceability, and regulatory reliability. Detailed discussions were held on PAFDA’s operational model, its regulatory approach, and its role in ensuring food safety and public health across Punjab.

A key focus of the visit was the exploration of future collaboration opportunities between PAFDA and Highfield Group. Both sides identified several critical areas for partnership, including food safety systems, food fraud detection, food security, and professional training and certification programs. These areas are central to strengthening regulatory ecosystems and enhancing the capacity of scientific institutions to respond to emerging challenges in food safety. Initial groundwork for collaboration has been established, with both organizations expressing commitment to begin joint initiatives in the coming weeks.

Mr. Sprenger also engaged directly with PAFDA’s scientific community during a session held in the auditorium, where he addressed a gathering of scientists and professionals. Drawing on his extensive global experience, he shared valuable insights on modern food safety practices, evolving regulatory frameworks, and the importance of continuous learning and professional development. His session provided an opportunity for knowledge exchange and inspired PAFDA’s teams to further enhance their capabilities in line with international standards.

Reflecting on his visit, Mr. Sprenger appreciated PAFDA’s rapid progress, strong human resource base, and the Authority’s vision to position itself as a leading scientific and regulatory institution. He acknowledged the quality of its laboratories and highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration, training, and global engagement in building robust food safety systems.

Ahsan Tayyab, Consultant Economist and former Asian Development Bank (ADB) official, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) and appreciated its advanced laboratory infrastructure and institutional capabilities. The visit provided an opportunity to observe PAFDA’s integrated approach to scientific testing, regulatory systems, and its alignment with international standards.

During the engagement, Mr. Tayyab highlighted PAFDA’s strong emphasis on human resource development and the role of skilled professionals in delivering reliable, high-quality outcomes. He expressed optimism for future collaboration and knowledge exchange, noting that PAFDA’s continued progress positions it as a modern, science-driven institution with growing regional and international relevance.

CEO Punjab Saaf Pani Authority, Capt. (R) Syed Ali Asghar, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) to review its laboratory capabilities and explore avenues for coordination in water quality testing and monitoring systems. The visit provided an overview of PAFDA’s advanced analytical infrastructure and its role in ensuring quality and safety across multiple sectors, including water testing for public health protection.

During the visit, discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between both institutions to enhance water quality assessment, improve monitoring mechanisms, and support evidence-based decision-making. The engagement highlighted the importance of integrated scientific systems in ensuring safe drinking water and reinforced a shared commitment to safeguarding public health through reliable testing and regulatory frameworks.

Secretary Home Department Punjab, Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) to review its operational systems, laboratory infrastructure, and ongoing initiatives. The visit provided an overview of PAFDA’s integrated approach to testing and regulation across food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical sectors, highlighting its role in ensuring quality, safety, and compliance through advanced scientific systems.

During the visit, discussions focused on strengthening operational efficiency, enhancing inter-departmental coordination, and aligning future priorities with emerging regulatory and public service needs. The review underscored PAFDA’s continued evolution as a modern, science-driven institution committed to delivering reliable, evidence-based outcomes and reinforcing public confidence in regulatory systems across Punjab.

Following the formalization of an Agreement of Cooperation (AoC), PAFDA, in collaboration with CABI, organized a workshop aimed at advancing shared priority areas for the coming year. The session was designed to operationalize the partnership by translating strategic objectives into practical initiatives, with a focus on strengthening research, knowledge access, and scientific capacity.

The workshop provided scientists with exposure to CABI’s global resources and access to specialized training materials, enabling them to explore tools and methodologies relevant to their work. Through this interactive session, participants engaged with learning platforms and gained insights to support evidence-based practices. The initiative marks an important step in implementing the AoC and reinforcing a structured approach to collaboration, capacity building, and innovation.