LAHORE: Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) has expanded its operation to all eight divisional headquarters of Punjab with a cost of Rs266 million and planned establishing its evidence collection centers in all 36 districts within a year.

This was stated by experts during the opening session of a two-day DNA Strategy Symposium arranged by the PFSA, in collaboration with the British High Commission, at a local hotel on Monday.

Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Mr Justice Mohammad Noor, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Prosecution Secretary Ali Murtaza, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Director General retired Major Syed Burhan Ali, Punjab Prosecutor General Syed Ehtisham Qadir, CTDAdditional IG Rai Tahir, representatives of law enforcement agencies, along with a large number of local and foreign scientists, attended the session.

Addressing the session, Justice Noor said forensic science facilities like PFSA should be established in all provinces.

Rana Maqbool Ahmed said the PFSA had achieved milestones in a short period. The agency was taking revolutionary steps in dispensation of justice to the oppressed according to the chief minister`s vision, he added.

PFSA was providing guidance to all investigation agencies, Mr Maqbool concluded.

Agency Director General Dr Mohammad Ashraf said PFSA had expanded its operations to all eight divisional headquarters of Punjabwith a cost of Rs266 million.

`We are planning to establish our evidence collection centers in all 36 districts of Punjab within a year`, he said. He told the participants that the PFSA had trained more than 8000 representatives of law enforcement agencies all over the country.

Dr Ashraf said PFSA had helped the United States, Norway, United Kingdom, Egypt and many other countries in solving high profile cases.

He said a forensic science laboratory and a specialised university would also be established soon.

He said some legislative amendments were required for completion of the DNA samples databank.

The participants appreciated PFSA`s role not only in conviction of terrorists but also in helping the innocent using modern infrastructure and technology. Staff Reporter