Visit of Chairman HEC to CAS-AFS and Inauguration of Commercialization of NGS Facility
The Chairman, Higher Education Commission (HEC), visited the Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (CAS-AFS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, on 30th April 2026. During the visit, he formally inaugurated the commercialization of the Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) facility established at CAS-AFS.
The inauguration ceremony included the unveiling of the facility, followed by prayers for the success, sustainability, and national impact of this initiative. After the ceremony, the Chairman was shown the operational NGS facility and the available sequencing setup.
The CAS-AFS team briefed the Chairman on the NGS platform, its operational workflow, and its applications in genomics research. The technology was demonstrated by showing sequencing flow cells, generated run reports, and sequencing outputs. The team also showed him ongoing sequencing samples, including desi cottonand a locally developed hemp variety, highlighting the facility’s role in sequencing indigenous and locally important germplasm.
It was explained that this facility has the potential to support a sustainable and locally available NGS ecosystem in Pakistan. The Chairman was further briefed that strengthening in-country sequencing capacity is strategically important, as it will reduce dependence on foreign sequencing services, help protect precious national germplasm, and address concerns related to biological data privacy and scientific sovereignty. The facility can support research in agriculture, biodiversity, crop improvement, pathogen surveillance, food security, and other areas of national importance. The Chairman appreciated the initiative and gave a positive response, acknowledging the importance of establishing such advanced genomics infrastructure within Pakistan. He encouraged the team before departing from CAS-AFS.
