KP police receive much-awaited DNA profiling kits

PESHAWAR: After remaining under criticism for many days for being dependent on Punjab, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has finally got the required kits that would enable the local laboratory to conduct DNA profiling in high-profile crime and terrorism cases.

“The DNA profiling kits arrived through an international flight on Saturday morning. More kits have been ordered that will arrive soon,” an official told The News.

He added that after getting the kits, the local police will have to send the DNA samples to the laboratory in Khyber Medical College instead of seeking help from the Punjab Forensic Sciences Agency. “The local laboratory will be able to conduct DNA profiling within a few days after the kits have already arrived,” an official said.

The concerned authorities had written for providing these kits to the local laboratory on a number of occasions in the recent months. However, the facility could not be provided for one ‘technical reasons’ or the other.

KP had set up its first DNA laboratory in Peshawar last year. The province, however, was dependent upon PFSA for DNA profiling as the local laboratory was unable to do the required tests due to absence of the kits.

The provincial police not only face delay in getting results of DNA tests from PFSA but it also earned embarrassment for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government that has claimed to have reformed the police force.

The rivals criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government for not providing the facility to the local laboratories to conduct DNA tests in important cases.

The KP police had to wait for long for the results of DNA tests from PFSA, Lahore, in the murder of minor girl Asma in Gujjar Garhi, Mardan. The case of Zainab from Kasur was worked out through the DNA profiling.

KP has recently upgraded the local Forensic Sciences Laboratory along with setting up more sections and hiring experts in different fields. The FSL, however, have no DNA facility. A second forensic science laboratory has also been set up in Swat that will deal with cases of the Malakand region.