KARACHI: Justice Sajjad Ali Shah of the Supreme Court on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Sindh Forensic Science Agency (SFSA) at Kathore in district Malir.

Addressing the ceremony as the chief guest, he appreciated the provincial government for extending complete support for the project and said that the objectives of establishing SFSA was to deliver precise, accurate and timely analysis results, which will support towards delivery of evidence-based justice system.

Justice Shah was briefed about the layout plan of the agency.

SFSA project director Faisal Ahmed Uqaili informed him that construction at project site started in April 2022 and estimated time of project completion was December 2024.

He said that National Engineering Services Pakistan Pvt Ltd (Nespak) was the consultant for the project and design work of the main laboratory building had been completed.

He said that the main components of the laboratory comprised forensic science building with covered area of 240,000 square feet.

Mr Uqaili said that the Sindh Forensic Science Agency Act, 2017 was passed by the Sindh Assembly in July 2017.

He said that the provincial government had fully supported this project and provided 30 acres free of cost.

The project director said that the SFSA would provide crime laboratory services in 14 disciplines.

The laboratories which will function in the SFSA are: audio visual analysis, computer forensic, crime scene and death scene investigation, DNA and serology, forensic photography, narcotics, toxicology, trace chemistry, polygraph, firearm & tool marks identification, latent fingerprints, forensic pathology, questioned documents and explosives lab.

Sindh Chief Secretary Dr Mohammad Sohail Rajput, Home Secretary Dr Saeed Ahmed Mangnejo, Punjab Forensic Science Agency director general Dr M Asharf Tahir, Sindh Prosecutor General Dr Faiz Shah and others were also present.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2022