Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, Director General PAFDA, participated as a Keynote Speaker and Guest of Honour at the Pakistan Investment & Trade Summit (PITS) 2026, organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The summit brought together a diverse audience, including international delegates, industry leaders, and academia, providing a dynamic platform for dialogue on investment and economic growth.

Addressing the forum, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha highlighted PAFDA’s scope, vision, and pivotal role in strengthening Pakistan’s regulatory and testing landscape. He emphasized the transition towards conducting advanced testing and certification within the country, reducing reliance on international laboratories, and enhancing confidence in Pakistan’s quality assurance systems, thereby supporting exports and boosting global competitiveness.

The session concluded on a positive note, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between regulatory bodies, industry, and stakeholders to drive sustainable economic growth and global competitiveness.

Mr. Abdul Rashid, Chief Executive Officer of PBerry Consulting, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) and met with the Director General, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, along with PAFDA’s senior management. The meeting focused on key issues related to food safety, emerging industry challenges, evolving regulatory requirements, and the role of PAFDA in strengthening scientific and regulatory frameworks to support a safer and more resilient food sector.

During the visit, Mr. Abdul Rashid toured PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories and appreciated the Authority’s advanced infrastructure, modern analytical capabilities, and commitment to excellence in testing and quality assurance. The engagement underscored the importance of closer collaboration between industry and regulatory institutions, with both sides recognizing the value of knowledge sharing and scientific cooperation in promoting safe, high-quality food systems and sustainable sectoral growth.

A delegation from the Armed Forces Medical Stores Laboratory (AFMSL), led by Lt. Col. Muhammad Shahid Sajjad, Officer Commanding, along with Senior Pharmacist Abdul Qadeer Khan and Microbiologist Sohaib Mazhar, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA). The delegation met with the Director General, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, and PAFDA’s senior management, where they were briefed on the Authority’s mandate, scientific capabilities, and the scope of its state-of-the-art laboratory network. The meeting also included discussions on potential areas of mutual collaboration in laboratory sciences, quality assurance, and technical cooperation.

The delegation later toured PAFDA’s Drug Testing Laboratory, where they observed the Authority’s advanced analytical infrastructure, modern instrumentation, and rigorous scientific processes. The visitors appreciated the high standards of laboratory operations and acknowledged PAFDA’s commitment to quality, innovation, and regulatory excellence. The visit concluded with a shared resolve to strengthen professional linkages and explore collaborative initiatives that contribute to advancing scientific capacity and public health protection.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kamran, Vice Chancellor of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB), visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) and met with the Director General, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, along with PAFDA’s senior management. The meeting focused on exploring opportunities for collaboration in scientific research, innovation, and strengthening institutional partnerships between academia and PAFDA to address emerging challenges in agriculture, food safety, public health, and regulatory sciences.

During the visit, the Vice Chancellor toured PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories and appreciated the Authority’s advanced infrastructure, modern analytical capabilities, and commitment to scientific excellence. Both institutions expressed a shared interest in fostering long-term collaboration through joint research initiatives, capacity building programs, and knowledge exchange, reinforcing the importance of academia-industry linkages in promoting evidence-based practices and innovation.

Mr. Alan Xi, Chief Agronomist and CEO of China Machinery Engineering Corporation Pvt. Limited (CMEC Group), a Chinese state-owned enterprise, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) along with Mr. M. Asad Nawaz, Commercial Manager, CMEC Group. The delegation was received by Dr. Ihsan ul Haq, Member Agriculture, PAFDA, who provided an overview of the Authority’s mandate, scientific capabilities, and regulatory role. During the meeting, both sides held productive discussions on sesame and red chili quality assurance, agricultural testing, food safety, and opportunities for scientific and technical collaboration aimed at strengthening quality standards and supporting agricultural trade.

The delegation also toured PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories, where they observed the Authority’s advanced analytical infrastructure and modern testing facilities. Mr. Alan Xi appreciated PAFDA’s commitment to scientific excellence, quality assurance, and regulatory best practices, and expressed CMEC Group’s interest in fostering long-term cooperation. He also offered to facilitate collaboration with other Chinese companies in the fields of agriculture, food safety, and applied scientific research, reflecting a shared commitment to promoting innovation, knowledge exchange, and international partnerships.

A high-level delegation from the University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) to explore opportunities for academic and scientific collaboration. The delegation was led by Prof. Abid H.K. Shirwani, Co-Founder and Chief Advisor on Innovation, and included Dr. Nauman Khalid, Dean, School of Food and Agricultural Sciences; Dr. Muhammad Sajid, Chairman, Department of Chemistry; and Dr. Imran Tipu, Chairman, Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, UMT. The delegation met with the Director General, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, along with PAFDA’s senior management, where both sides engaged in productive discussions on fostering partnerships in research, professional training, innovation, and capacity building to strengthen scientific advancement.

Following the meeting, the delegation toured PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories and gained firsthand insight into the Authority’s advanced analytical capabilities, modern infrastructure, and internationally aligned scientific practices. The visitors appreciated PAFDA’s commitment to excellence in testing, research, and regulatory science, acknowledging its growing role as a center of scientific excellence in Punjab. The visit concluded with a shared commitment to building long-term institutional linkages that promote knowledge exchange, collaborative research, and the development of skilled scientific professionals for the benefit of society.

The Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) welcomed a delegation comprising Mr. Jing Shen (James)and Mr. Zhengxu Liu (Roy) from Shanghai Shenlian Biomedical Corporation, China, along with Dr. Danish Saleheen from Ziest Therapeutics, for a visit aimed at strengthening scientific engagement and exploring opportunities for future collaboration. The delegation was received by the Director General, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, and held a meeting with PAFDA’s senior management to discuss areas of mutual interest, particularly in the field of animal vaccination and related scientific advancements.

During their visit, the delegation toured PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories and gained insight into the Authority’s integrated testing, research, and regulatory capabilities. The visitors commended PAFDA’s advanced laboratory infrastructure, modern analytical facilities, and its commitment to scientific excellence, quality assurance, and internationally aligned regulatory practices. Both sides expressed optimism about fostering collaboration in areas of research, innovation, and technical knowledge exchange to support advancements in animal health and biosciences.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Vice Chancellor of the University of Narowal, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) to explore opportunities for academic collaboration and strengthen institutional linkages between higher education and applied scientific research. During the visit, he met with the Director General of PAFDA, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, along with the Authority’s senior management. The meeting provided a valuable platform to discuss PAFDA’s scientific mandate, state-of-the-art testing capabilities, and its role in supporting public health, agriculture, food safety, and drug quality through evidence-based regulatory services. Both institutions exchanged views on fostering collaboration in research, innovation, education, and professional capacity building, with particular emphasis on developing meaningful partnerships that bridge academia with practical scientific applications.

A significant focus of the discussions centered on the University of Narowal’s emerging academic programs in Allied Health Sciences, Nutrition, and Pharmacy. The delegation sought insights into PAFDA’s advanced laboratory infrastructure and explored opportunities for student training, research collaborations, internships, and knowledge exchange. Following the meeting, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was given a comprehensive tour of PAFDA’s state-of-the-art laboratories, where he observed the Authority’s modern analytical facilities, internationally aligned testing practices, and robust quality assurance systems. He appreciated PAFDA’s scientific excellence and expressed keen interest in adopting similar standards and best practices within the University of Narowal’s academic and research framework. The visit concluded on a highly positive note, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing scientific education, promoting innovation, and establishing long-term collaboration that will contribute to academic excellence and strengthen Pakistan’s scientific and research ecosystem.

The Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA), in collaboration with the Center for Professional Development of Public Prosecutors (CPDPP), successfully concluded a two-day Court Testimony Training Program aimed at strengthening the legal and courtroom competencies of its scientific workforce. The program focused on equipping PAFDA scientists with the knowledge and practical skills required for the effective presentation of scientific evidence in judicial proceedings. Key sessions covered legal frameworks, rules of evidence, sector-specific case studies, examination-in-chief, cross-examination techniques, and a mock court exercise that provided participants with valuable hands-on courtroom experience.

Addressing the closing session, Director General PAFDA, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, appreciated the collaborative efforts of CPDPP and reaffirmed PAFDA’s commitment to continuous professional development. He emphasized the importance of empowering scientists with the legal and technical expertise required to support evidence-based enforcement and regulatory decision-making. The initiative reflects PAFDA’s ongoing commitment to developing a highly skilled scientific workforce while promoting professionalism, integrity, and excellence in the delivery of its regulatory responsibilities.

A distinguished delegation from the School of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, visited the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) today, marking a step forward in academia-industry engagement. The delegation comprised Prof. Dr. Adeel Afzal, Head of Department, along with Prof. Dr. Adnan Mujahid and Dr. Amara Dar. The visiting scholars were received by Director General Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha and PAFDA's senior management team, who engaged them in productive discussions centered on PAFDA's scientific scope and capabilities. The conversation placed particular emphasis on building academic collaboration, strengthening research linkages, and enabling knowledge exchange between the two institutions in the fields of science and education.

Following the meeting, the delegation was taken on a comprehensive tour of PAFDA's laboratories, where they had the opportunity to observe the Authority's modern infrastructure and advanced analytical facilities firsthand. The visiting faculty expressed appreciation for the scale and sophistication of the setup, underscoring the potential for meaningful academic-scientific partnership. The engagement concluded on a positive note, reflecting a shared commitment between the University of the Punjab and PAFDA to deepen collaboration between academic research and applied scientific institutions — Science for Safety.