The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to establish the province’s first Forensic Science Laboratory in Peshawar at an estimated cost of Rs20 billion, aiming to modernize criminal investigations through advanced scientific techniques.
KP decides establishing forensic science laboratory costing Rs20 bln
PESHAWAR, Jun 01 (APP): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to establish the province’s first Forensic Science Laboratory in Peshawar at an estimated cost of Rs20 billion, aiming to modernize criminal investigations through advanced scientific techniques.
The laboratory will assist law enforcement agencies in solving criminal cases through DNA analysis, fingerprint examination, and digital forensic investigations. It is expected to play a key role in resolving complex cases involving murder, terrorism, sexual assault, robbery and other serious crimes using scientific methods.
The development was disclosed in a report submitted to the Peshawar High Court during a hearing of a contempt of court petition regarding the implementation of judicial decisions.
A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice S.M. Atiq Shah heard the case.
According to the report on Monday, the provincial cabinet approved the establishment of the Forensic Science Laboratory on March 9, 2026. The project was included in the cabinet agenda and received formal approval.
The report further stated that the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) has prepared and submitted the PC-I for the project, estimating its total cost at Rs20 billion.
In addition, the government has included the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Lab and a secure data management system in the Annual Development Programme (ADP). The project will be implemented under the Science, Technology and Information Technology (ST&IT) sector.
