LAHORE: In a significant development, Punjab Assembly has passed a controversial bill establishing a new governing body for Punjab Forensic Science Agency, giving direct control to the Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The government passed the controversial legislation on Friday, as many see this change as an attempt by Punjab government to have more control over the forensics department.
Punjab Minister for Finance Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman introduced the Punjab Forensic Science Authority Act 2025 in the provincial assembly on February 12. The act was passed on March 14 (Friday).
The new body, Punjab Forensic Science Authority, will replace the existing authority Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA).
The new law will also repeal the 2007 legislation, Forensic Science Agency Act, which governed the institution’s operations and structure.
Punjab Forensic Science Agency
Previously, the PFSA was headed by a director general; however, with the new legislation in effect, Punjab Forensic Science Authority will be under the direct authority of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The CM will chair the new body along with 13 additional members appointed to oversee its operations.
The 13 members will be headed by a vice-chairperson, as well as secretaries of different provincial departments. This means that there will be more inclusion of traditional bureaucracy than before.
Previously, the 2007 Forensic Science Act made it a compulsion that the director general of the agency would need to be qualified in forensic sciences.
However, the 2025 legislation has removed the obligation, paving the way for CM Maryam Nawaz to head the highly important agency.
The recent legislation also gives sweeping powers to the Chief Minister as the director general of the agency will serve “at the pleasure of the chief minister,” with the terms of his/her appointment determined by the chief minister.
According to the new law, in case of a vacant seat in the director general’s position, a bureaucrat from the Pakistan Administrative Services (PAS) or the Provincial Management Services (PMS) with a rank of BS-20 will be appointed.
Legal experts have raised concerns over the politicisation and end of autonomy for the FPSA under the new law, arguing that it could affect the provincial justice system.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, however, has defended the law, saying: “This will give greater financial and administrative ownership to the new authority and will create a sense of urgency and efficiency.”
Read more: ‘Ugly piece of trash’: Ibrahim Ali Khan threatens Pakistani movie critic over his review
