Lahore: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday congratulated the Punjab government on the inauguration of the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA), calling it a landmark institution for ensuring food security and hygienic standards across the country.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Prime Minister praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for transforming a long-neglected and incomplete building into a modern, IT-led, and AI-enabled laboratory. He said the project, idle for years, now stands as a symbol of progress and good governance. 'Full marks to Maryam Nawaz Sharif for converting an idling building into a great institution,' he remarked.
He also commended scientists, experts, and professionals who worked tirelessly to complete what he described as a unique project in Pakistan. The PAFDA, according to the Prime Minister, will play a vital role in ensuring food safety, quality control, and public health, calling it a need of the hour.
Recalling the establishment of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency in 2009, PM Shehbaz highlighted how the absence of a credible forensic system had once allowed criminals to escape justice. He paid tribute to the late Dr. Ashraf Tahir, who left a successful career in the United States to serve Pakistan, and acknowledged the role of former provincial officer Naseem Sadiq and other officials in setting up the forensic lab.
The Prime Minister expressed regret that the PAFDA building had remained incomplete for five to six years due to political neglect, despite billions of rupees spent, adding that seeing the abandoned structure during his incarceration nearby had been heart-wrenching. He lauded the current Punjab leadership for reviving the project and turning it into a state-of-the-art facility.
On governance reforms, PM Shehbaz cited actions against corruption in export-related institutions, including reforms in rice export and quality certification departments. He emphasized that strong and transparent institutions are essential for national credibility and international trade.
He added that PAFDA will benefit all provinces by providing reliable testing and certification services for food items such as rice, betel nuts, milk, and water. PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Punjab cabinet, chief secretary, police leadership, and all officials involved, expressing hope that PAFDA would help eliminate adulteration and set new standards for food and drug regulation in Pakistan.
During the ceremony, CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif presented a souvenir to the Prime Minister and addressed the audience. Federal and provincial ministers, businessmen, and diplomats attended the event.