The Punjab government has decided to induct world-fame distinguished scientists in the proposed Science Enclave Project under Punjab Food, Agriculture and Drug Authority (PAFDA). Advertisement in this regard has been floated in the international media in which portfolios including Director General PAFDA, Member Food, Member Agriculture and Member Pharma have been offered on market rate remuneration basis.
This was disclosed in a meeting presided over by Additional Chief Secretary Punjab Shamail Ahmad Khawaja held here on Friday. The meeting reviewed pace of progress for materializing the Science Enclave Project under PAFDA. Director General Punjab Forensic Science Agency Dr Muhammad Ashraf Tahir and Project Director PAFDA Sohail Ashraf presented briefings in this regard during the meeting. The meeting was told that the PC-I of the project will be completed with a total cost of Rs 6.3 billion. The department of Implementation and Coordination Punjab has issued administrative approval of this project while the Punjab Finance Department has allocated an initial amount of Rs 2 billion for development of laboratories and other construction work. This development fund will be utilized during the fiscal year 2017-18. Non-development fund comprising Rs 4.27 million has also been released to PAFDA for the current fiscal year.
The meeting also reviewed the performance of PAFDA Finance and Audit Committee while the pace of work to finalize PAFDA draft regulations was also reviewed. Additional Chief Secretary Shamail Ahmad Khawaja directed the Project Director PAFDA to expedite all the phases of the Science Enclave Project and submit the management strategy to him within three days.