Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has directed relevant officials on Sunday to adopt immediate measures for transferring the record of weapons to the modern database system. He said this after visiting Punjab Forensic Science Agency (FSA) and presiding over a high level meeting there to review its performance.
Shahbaz Sharif approved setting up of a modern system for database of fingerprints in the lab. He said that satellite centers of forensic science lab will be set up in all divisions of Punjab which will help in collection of evidence of crime at the local level.
He said that project of satellite centers is of vital importance in the provision of justice and will help improve the standard of evidence.
He inspected the automatic modern system of database for identification of weapons and appreciated Director General FSA and his team for introducing this new system.
The Chief Minister also visited the centers for the training of officers and staff of other institutions and expressed his satisfaction over the training facilities.
He inspected the training center of crime scene set up in the lab. Later, presiding over a high level meeting, he said that the biggest and the most modern forensic science lab of South Asia has been set up in Punjab, which meets international standards.
"Punjab government set up a state-of-the-art forensic lab of Asia at a cost of billions of rupees. Countries such as U.S., U.K., and Norway are sending samples for investigation of cases to this lab reflect its efficiency and performance,"
He said an automatic and modern database system for identification of weapons has recently been introduced in Punjab FSA. He directed that satellite centers at divisional level should be set up speedily and this process should be completed by March.
It was decided that in the second phase, satellite centers will be established in 36 districts of the province.
Shahbaz Sharif directed authorities concerned to take immediate steps for setting up satellite centers of forensic science lab at district level as well. He directed that special attention should be paid to training of officers and officials of prosecution and police for the improvement of criminal justice system and a separate lab will be set up at FSA so that modern training could be imparted to maximum officials.
He said that medical legal system need to be harmonised as per demands of modern age and recommendations in this regard should be presented after reviewing all necessary issues.
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the efficiency of Punjab FSA and appreciated DG Punjab FSA and his team. DG Punjab FSA Dr Ashraf Tahir gave a detailed briefing on the performance of the institution. Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal, IG Police, Advocate General Punjab, Secretary Home, Secretary Law and concerned officers were present on the occasion.