Lahore: Forensics institute in city soon

[Naveed Yaseen]

PUNJAB Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said that a modern Punjab Institute of Forensic Sciences will be constructed in Lahore. He said that six-storey building of the institute over an area of 20 kanal near Thokhar Niaz Beg would be constructed in a record period of 11 months.

The CM stated this while addressing a high level meeting regarding establishment of Punjab Institute of Forensic Sciences at Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Wednesday.

Advisors to Chief Minister Jehanzeb Burki and Saeed Mehdi, Chairman Task Force Haroon Khawaja, Inspector General of Police, Secretary Home, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary Health, Consultant Dr. Ashraf Tahir, Chief Engineer Buildings and other officers were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM said the institute would comprise 14 special departments having 32 expert scientists. He said that setting up the institute would help in proper investigation of cases for controlling crime and provision of justice to the people.

Shahbaz said that contrary to the past practices, simplicity had been adopted in development projects so as to save public money. He said wastage of national resources on palatial offices and buildings would not be allowed. He said utilization of public funds for the provision of basic facilities to the masses and uplifting their standard of living was the responsibility of the government.

He said it was tragic that while the poor patients were dying due to non-availability of injections and medicines, imported granite tiles were being used on the project of Services Institute of Management Sciences. He said development projects were intentionally delayed which resulted in huge loss to public exchequer as well as commitment of financial irregularities. He cited the example of Kasur, Sialkot and 18 Hazari projects which were pending for the last many years.

He said wastage of public funds was a criminal act and would not be allowed as country could not afford such practices. He directed to review the expenditures on the project as well as to ensure its quality and timely completion at any cost. He also constituted a high level committee and directed pre-qualification of contractors and evolving third-party audit system for the project.

Home Secretary informed the meeting that 14 special sections would be set up in the institute where 32 scientists would be appointed who would be specialists in their fields. He said that 15 scientists had been selected in this regard in a transparent manner. He said these special sections included DNA, Pathology, Crime Scene, Trace Chemistry, Death Scene Investigation, Serology, Computer Forensics, Fire Arms and Latin Finger Prints.

Chief Engineer Buildings informed that the design of the project had been completed. He said that initially the project would be six-storey with a capacity for addition of two more stories. The Chief Minister directed the Buildings Department to ensure quality of construction and check any wasteful expenditure. He further directed that no imported material be used in the project. The meeting also gave approval to various proposals regarding the institute.

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