LAHORE:Punjab Home Secretary Capt (Rtd) Noor-ul-Amin Mengal reviewed the progress made by the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA).
Speaking at the review session, which was attended by key stakeholders, including senior officials from the authority, the PAFDA Director General provided an update on the ongoing efforts and milestones achieved by the organisation, emphasising its critical role as the flagship project of the Punjab government.
PAFDA was established with the aim of enhancing public health and the well-being of the people of Punjab, addressing vital issues related to food safety, drug regulation, and agricultural practices.
The DG outlined the authority's significant progress in setting up laboratories that meet stringent Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and ISO 17025 standards. These laboratories are designed to perform essential tests to ensure the safety of food and the quality of medicines for both livestock and human consumption throughout the province. With a total investment of Rs16 billion, PAFDA is poised to address these critical needs, significantly enhancing public health safety and consumer protection.
The DG highlighted that the laboratory building was officially handed over to PAFDA, and the process of furnishing the laboratories with latest furniture, IT equipment, and other essential infrastructure was under way. The authority plans to complete the furnishing and setup of the laboratories by the end of April 2025.
In terms of staffing, PAFDA has completed the recruitment for several key positions within the organisation. A professional headhunting firm has been engaged to fill the remaining high-level positions, including members for the food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical sectors. Additionally, the University of Punjab has successfully conducted the first phase of recruitment tests for 266 professional and administrative positions. The second phase of these recruitment tests is scheduled for today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday), after which the interview process will begin.
PAFDA is also moving forward with the procurement process to equip the new laboratories. Tenders have been uploaded for the procurement of laboratory equipment, office furniture, vehicles, and IT resources. The authority is working diligently to ensure that all procurement and recruitment activities are completed in alignment with the deadlines set by the PAFDA Board, ensuring smooth and efficient progress towards the project’s completion.
In collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), PAFDA has developed a software solution for the Lab Information Management System (LIMS), which is now in its first phase of completion. This system will streamline the operations of PAFDA’s new laboratories and integrate the existing laboratories of health, agriculture and food department which will be under the administrative control of PAFDA.
During the review, the home secretary appreciated the progress made by PAFDA so far. He commended the leadership of PAFDA for their efforts in ensuring the timely implementation of the project.
The home secretary emphasised the importance of transparency in all procurement and recruitment processes, and urged that the laboratories be made functional as soon as possible to maximise the benefits for the people of Punjab.
In a significant development, the PAFDA DG thanked the PAFDA Board for approving an additional Rs5.5 billion in funding for the current financial year. This funding will enable PAFDA to complete the project in a timely manner.
PAFDA’s efforts in creating a robust infrastructure for food safety, drug regulation, and agricultural advancements are set to make a transformative impact on public health and the economy of the province.