A leading Pirbright authority on animal health has met with representatives from the Punjab Agriculture, Food & Drug Authority (PAFDA) to discuss potential collaboration in disease research, diagnostics, and laboratory systems.
Professor Munir Iqbal, Head of the Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Group at Pirbright, visited PAFDA, based at the Punjab Science Enclave in Lahore, Pakistan, to strengthen ties and share expertise.
“Collaboration brings benefits to both organisations,” said Professor Iqbal. “For Pirbright, working together broadens the availability of field data and samples for our research. When I visit PAFDA, I can provide a short training workshop for PAFDA’s early career researchers and offer advice on health and safety risk assessments.”
The visit provided an opportunity to engage with global expertise in critical areas of animal and public health, particularly in the context of emerging and zoonotic diseases. Both organisations emphasized the importance of knowledge exchange and scientific cooperation to strengthen surveillance, improve response mechanisms, and support overall health security.
Dr. Talat N. Pasha, Director General of PAFDA, said: “The visit and ongoing collaboration with Pirbright reflects PAFDA’s commitment to building international partnerships that advance research, innovation, and public health outcomes.”
The Punjab Agriculture, Food & Drug Authority (PAFDA) is a provincial flagship project with national impact. By 2035, PAFDA will be a globally recognized authority in conformance and compliance assessment, providing critical services across food, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, feed, and cosmetics.
PAFDA operates a comprehensive network of state-of-the-art laboratories dedicated to ensuring the safety and quality of food, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural inputs across Punjab.
Professor Iqbal said:
“During my visit, I was able to give a talk to early career researchers on how to test the quality of poultry and livestock vaccines, and also had time to meet the Director General and his senior team to discuss how Pirbright and PAFDA can enhance the quality of vaccines delivering economic, social and health benefits.”
As part of his visit, Professor Iqbal also attended an international symposium - Poultry Health Challenges in Pakistan - held in Faisalabad. The event brought together more than 170 delegates including poultry experts, veterinarians, farmers and postgraduate students.
Symposium organiser, Professor Dr Muhammad Kashif Saleemi, said: “We were delighted to welcome Professor Iqbal to Faisalabad and share mutual insights into the pressing challenges faced by all those involved in poultry health, both in Pakistan and across the world.”
For more information on Professor Iqbal’s work, visit our webpage.