The Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) hosted representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab, WASA, and the Institute of Public Health for a collaborative engagement on water safety.

The session brought together technical experts, including the Chief Chemist of WASA and senior officials, to discuss the development of a unified water testing system for Punjab.

Discussions focused on strengthening coordination among institutions, standardizing testing protocols, and enhancing the use of modern analytical systems to ensure consistent and reliable water quality monitoring.

The initiative reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding public health and advancing an integrated, science-based approach to water safety across the province.

Dr. Sabyan Faris Honey, Regional Director of CABI Central and West Asia, along with his team, recently visited the Punjab Food Authority (PAFDA) to strengthen engagement and explore avenues for scientific and institutional collaboration.

During the visit, Dr. Honey and his team toured PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, gaining detailed insights into the Authority’s advanced testing systems and operational protocols. The team was apprised of key laboratory processes, from sample collection to rigorous analytical testing, highlighting PAFDA’s commitment to ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance.

The visit provided a platform for discussions on advancing cooperation in research, innovation, and capacity building within the public sector. Both sides exchanged perspectives on leveraging scientific expertise, enhancing analytical capabilities, and fostering knowledge-sharing initiatives to further strengthen food safety, regulatory oversight, and public health protection.

A delegation from Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rauf-i-Azam, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) to explore avenues of collaboration between academia and the Authority.

The delegation was received by Member Food and Member Pharma, followed by a meeting focusing on potential areas of cooperation, including research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange in food and pharmaceutical sectors.

After the meeting, the delegation was given a tour of PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories and briefed on its advanced testing capabilities. Both sides expressed interest in strengthening future collaboration for improved food safety and public health outcomes.

The Punjab Agriculture Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) was honored to host Mr. Ahmed Umair, Chairman of NAFSA, during his visit to the authority’s headquarters. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase PAFDA’s advanced scientific infrastructure and discuss potential avenues for collaboration in strengthening regulatory systems across the food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical sectors.

During the visit, Mr. Ahmed Umair was given a detailed tour of PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories and testing facilities. Officials briefed him on the authority’s integrated approach to scientific testing, quality assurance, and regulatory support designed to safeguard public health and ensure compliance with national and international standards.

The discussions highlighted the importance of science-driven regulatory frameworks, institutional coordination, and capacity building in enhancing safety and quality across food, agriculture, and drug supply chains. Both sides also explored opportunities for collaboration that could further strengthen Pakistan’s regulatory ecosystem and support industry compliance with modern quality standards.

Mr. Ahmed Umair appreciated PAFDA’s modern infrastructure and the scale of its analytical capabilities, noting the importance of institutions like PAFDA in promoting evidence-based regulation and public safety.

The visit reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening institutional partnerships and advancing science-led governance to ensure safer food systems, improved agricultural inputs, and reliable pharmaceutical quality standards for the people of Punjab and beyond.

The Punjab Agriculture Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) welcomed a delegation from the Pakistan Crop Protection Association (PCPA) for a visit to its laboratories and facilities. The delegation was headed by Mr. Farhan Aziz, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Crop Protection Association, along with other representatives from the crop protection industry.

During the visit, the delegation was given a comprehensive tour of PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories and scientific facilities. Officials briefed the participants on the authority’s advanced testing infrastructure, analytical capabilities, and the role PAFDA plays in ensuring quality, safety, and compliance across agriculture, food, and pharmaceutical sectors.

The engagement provided an opportunity for constructive dialogue on regulatory frameworks, industry collaboration, and strengthening quality standards in the crop protection sector. Discussions also focused on the importance of credible scientific testing in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of agricultural inputs while supporting responsible industry practices.

Representatives from the Pakistan Crop Protection Association appreciated the scale and sophistication of PAFDA’s laboratories and expressed interest in continued engagement to support quality assurance and regulatory compliance within the sector.

The visit reflects PAFDA’s commitment to working closely with industry stakeholders to promote transparency, scientific rigor, and high standards across Pakistan’s agriculture value chain.

The Punjab Agriculture Food and Drug Authority hosted a delegation from Better Cotton during their visit to the Authority.

The delegation comprised Hina Fouzia, Country Director Pakistan & Tajikistan; Ansa Rabia, Development and Partnership Lead Pakistan & Tajikistan; and Khushbakht Jamal Fatima, Programme Manager.

During the visit, the delegation toured PAFDA’s advanced laboratories and was briefed on the Authority’s science-based regulatory framework. They appreciated PAFDA’s role in strengthening quality assurance systems, supporting sustainable agricultural value chains, and promoting credible scientific testing in Pakistan.

PAFDA celebrated the remarkable women this International Women’s Day - empowering science, leadership, and change.

To promote sustainability alongside empowerment, a plantation activity was held during the International Women’s Day event at the PAFDA. The saplings were watered by distinguished guests Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum, Prof. Dr. Uzma Qureshi, and Prof. Dr. Kanwal Ameen, symbolizing a shared commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.
Marking International Women’s Day with a seminar dedicated to women’s health awareness and empowerment, the event at PAFDA brought together professionals and academic leaders for a meaningful exchange of ideas.
The celebration was honored by the presence of distinguished guests Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum, Prof. Dr. Uzma Qureshi, and Prof. Dr. Kanwal Ameen, who joined as chief guests and shared their perspectives on women’s empowerment, health awareness, and leadership.

During the seminar, the esteemed guests also addressed the audience, sharing their perspectives on the importance of women’s empowerment, health awareness, and the role of education and science in building stronger communities.

Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority Inaugurated

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz formally inaugurated the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) on Saturday. The facility, described as one of the most advanced science enclaves in South Asia, brings state-of-the-art laboratories for agriculture, food, and drug testing under a single integrated framework.

The inauguration also marked the commencement of PAFDA’s laboratory operations. On the occasion, the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a dedicated hostel facility for women scientists working at the authority.

The ceremony was attended by diplomatic representatives from over 20 countries, reflecting international interest in Punjab’s expanding scientific and regulatory infrastructure.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister appreciated the Chief Minister’s leadership and progress in strengthening public institutions. Following the ceremony, the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister toured various sections of PAFDA, reviewed operational arrangements, and inspected the agriculture, food, and drug testing laboratories. They were briefed on laboratory workflows and observed the sampling and testing procedures in practice.

Director General PAFDA, Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, informed the participants that the authority currently employs 232 scientists, the majority of whom are gold medalists. He highlighted that women constitute approximately 70 percent of the scientific workforce, with professionals from other provinces also contributing to PAFDA’s operations.

He stated that PAFDA is mandated to ensure quality standards for food, agricultural, and pharmaceutical products, with testing capabilities that include nutrient profiling, microbiological safety assessments, and ingredient verification.

Dr. Pasha further noted that the establishment of PAFDA would significantly reduce dependence on foreign laboratories for quality certification and contribute to restoring international confidence in products manufactured in Pakistan.

He added that a high-tech drug testing laboratory has been developed with technical collaboration from England and Türkiye. Currently, 42 advanced analytical machines valued at Rs4.4 billion have been installed, while an additional 565 machines are planned to be added in the near future.

Discussion on nutrition and NCDs initiatives for public health improvement.

Exchange on milk quality, safety practices and regulatory compliance requirements.