KARACHI: The Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, has renewed and expanded the accreditation of the Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL), located within the Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi.
This prestigious recognition confirms the lab’s compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, the global benchmark for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. SFDL remains the only forensic facility in Pakistan accredited under ISO 17025, underscoring its leadership in scientific excellence and forensic reliability.
An official meeting held at the Dr Panjwani Center, chaired by Prof Dr Raza Shah, Director of ICCBS, marked the celebration of this achievement. The meeting was also attended by several officials, including Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, Project Director and Head of SFDL.
It was noted during the meeting that the renewed accreditation follows a rigorous independent assessment, reflecting the lab’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, skilled personnel, and robust operational standards.
Prof Dr M. Raza Shah, Director of ICCBS, commended the outstanding contribution of Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, whose efforts have led to the lab's growth into a nationally significant forensic hub. In a relatively short period, SFDL has delivered forensic reports in over 8,800 cases, contributing to a wide array of criminal investigations, he said.
Beyond forensic reporting, SFDL has become a center for capacity building in forensic science, regularly training judges, investigating officers, medico-legal experts, prosecutors, and crime scene investigators in evidence handling and collection procedures, Prof. Shah highlighted, adding that the lab has also played vital roles in disaster response and high-profile criminal investigations, solidifying its reputation as a cornerstone of forensic infrastructure in Pakistan.
Prof Dr Khalid Iraqi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Karachi, and Prof Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, Professor Emeritus and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology, extended their congratulations to the SFDL team on achieving this national milestone.
