The University of Karachi has inaugurated Sindh’s first Center of Digital Forensic Science and Technology (CDFST), a modern facility aimed at promoting research, training, and cybersecurity in the province.
The inauguration ceremony was led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, while the project was funded by the federal government through the Higher Education Commission (HEC). This marks Sindh’s third forensic facility and the first digital forensic center established within a university.
According to Saeed Sheikh, Director of the Directorate of Planning and Development, the new center is part of a mega project launched in 2018, which also includes the establishment of a new research center and a girls’ hostel on campus. Sheikh said that construction work is complete and the building has been handed over to the university, while delivery of lab equipment and materials will be finalized soon.
He explained that digital forensics in Pakistan remains in its early stages, currently managed mainly by the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing and the Punjab Forensic Agency. The new center, he added, will combine all digital forensic facilities under one roof to enhance research and investigative capabilities.
Built at a cost of Rs. 308 million, the 38,000-square-foot facility includes 23 classrooms, 11 laboratories, 32 offices, and 18 storerooms. The complex also features modern security systems and accessibility infrastructure for persons with disabilities, ensuring an inclusive and secure environment for students and researchers.
