ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP):Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (CCRA) and Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote scientific research, cannabis testing, biotechnology and capacity building for Pakistan’s emerging cannabis and industrial hemp sector.
The MoU was signed at CCRA Headquarters, Islamabad, in a ceremony led by Director General CCRA Major General (Retd.) Zafar Ullah Khan, HI(M), and PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Qamar Uz Zaman.
Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate on research, testing, screening and analytical evaluation of cannabis and cannabis-derived materials, including the separation of CBD, THC and other cannabinoids, potency testing, quality assurance and scientific innovation.
The MoU also aims to strengthen regulatory functions and develop technical expertise through joint research and capacity-building initiatives.
Speaking on the occasion, the DG CCRA said the collaboration marked an important convergence of regulatory oversight, scientific advancement and biotechnology while ensuring transparency. He also appreciated the efforts of the Director Operations and Vigilance for achieving landmark milestones for the Authority in a short period.
Vice Chancellor said the partnership between CCRA and the National Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (NCIB) would lay the foundation for a safe, standardised and technologically advanced industrial sector in Pakistan.
He said combining NCIB’s scientific capabilities with CCRA’s regulatory oversight would help ensure that the sector developed safely, transparently and in accordance with international standards. He also thanked the CCRA team for its successful collaboration.
The MoU was signed on behalf of CCRA by Director (Operations/Licensing/Vigilance) Asif Haroon and on behalf of PMAS-AAUR by NCIB Project Director Professor Dr. Abida Raza.
Senior officials attending the ceremony included Dr. Saqib Majeed, Director External Linkages, AAUR; Mustafa, PRO to the Vice Chancellor; Zafar Iqbal, Consultant (Institutional Development), CCRA; Zil-e-Huma, Research Officer/Coordinator, CCRA; and Iftikhar Abbasi, Consultant (Finance), CCRA.
The agreement is part of CCRA’s broader initiative to establish an advanced regulatory ecosystem covering cannabis extraction, testing, biology, biotechnology and bioactive compounds, alongside the establishment of a National Cannabis Laboratory and Research Centre.
DG CCRA and Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR also agreed to expand collaboration in industrial hemp research. The two institutions will sign another MoU for the utilisation of the defunct Institute of Hydroponic Agriculture (IHA) to explore new opportunities in the cannabis sativa and industrial hemp sector.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
