ANNUAL REPORT

2023-2024

P.O. Box 387, Mastung Road, Near Mian Ghundi, Quetta

PH: 03409910276
E-mail: qlpcsir@gmail.com
PCSIR LABORATORIES QUETTA

PCSIR Laboratories Quetta was established under the development project

“Establishment of PCSIR Laboratories Quetta”. The development project was completed
in June 2004 with the establishment of three research centers namely, Food Technology,
Mineral Technology and Chemical Engineering & Pilot Plant Centre along with
Administration Block including a Library.
PCSIR laboratories, Quetta are presently engaged in R&D activities along with
testing/analytical and advisory services to clients from public and private sectors in the
disciplines of food and mineral technologies. In addition, it provides research facilities to
the M.Sc., M.Phil and Ph.D. students. By utilizing the present modest but fully functional
research and development facilities, the scientists of theses laboratories have developed a
number of bench scale processes. Now, Quetta lab. Is in a process of establishing pilot
plant facilities which would enable to assess the developed bench scale
processes/technologies on pilot scale for commercialization.
The Province of Balochistan is endowed by nature with vast mineral deposits, a large
variety of fruits, vegetables and fish. The Minerals and fruits have been the backbone of
the province economy. Due to lack of proper exploitation and paucity of research and
development facilities the common man could not take advantage of this massive wealth
of the province.
The main objectives of the laboratories are:
 Collection and dissemination of information relating to research and development
being undertaken on indigenous fruits, vegetables and minerals.
 Evaluation, characterization and processing of the indigenous resources.
 Enhancement of export potential through value addition to indigenous raw
materials.
 Extension of technical and scientific assistance, advisory services to local
entrepreneurs and industries.
 Training of scientific/technical manpower.
 Supervision of Students from colleges / universities
At present the PCSIR Laboratories has established full facilities for undertaking bench
/pilot plant scale R&D and analytical /testing facilities in the discipline of Food and
Mineral & Material Science.
PCSIR Labs Quetta is presently functioning with a total staff of 34 including 09
Scientists/Engineers, members in Technical Staff and 25 officers/officials providing
support services in the above outlined disciplines.
 ESTABLISHMENT /ORGONZATIONAL CHART

PCSIR LABORATORIES QUETTA

DIRECTOR

CHMICAL
FOOD MINERAL ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY AND
CENTRE CENTRE PILOT PLANT
CENTRE

INDUSTRIAL ADMIN
LIAISON AND
OFFICE ACCOUNTS
Research & Development

Green House with automation for Cultivation of Hemp at PCSIR laboratories

Quetta
The more than 50 countries around the world have legalized some of medical cannabies
while six countries have legalized cannabis for recreational use by adults. The global total
cannabis market (regulated and illicit) is estimated to be $344 billion USD. Medicinal
cannabis accounts for the majority share of the cannabis market. Many countries have
legalized the usage of cannabis for medicinal purpose such Australia, Canada, Chile,
Colombia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Peru, and Uruguay among others.
Global marketing is projected to grow by over $950 million by 2025, driven by a revised
compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%. The growth in this market is mainly
driven by legalization of medical cannabis, coupled with growing number of cannabis,
coupled with the growing of cannabis testing laboratories. The project is focused on
facility generation for the “Speed breeding” of the Hemp Varieties. For the purpose
separate and dedicate green house facility will be established for cultivation of both male
and female plants to ensure the production of hybrid seeds. After that the seeds will be
transferred to dedicated greenhouse for CBD only and female plant cultivation. This will
include cultivation of 1 Acre each greenhouse considering the aspect of future demands
and scalability ton accommodate longer term facilitation.

Production of Glazed and Crystallized Fruits

The distinctive climatic conditions in the province provide diversity and a great variety
for fruit production. Glazed fruits and toffees are chewable confectionery items which are
made of sugar, acids and fruit or vegetable pulp as major ingredients. Fruits and
vegetables like apples, ginger, mangoes, guava, carrots and citrus peels have been used to
prepare candies and toffees. in good combination of taste and nutritive value. Various by-
products of fruit and vegetables are also used to prepare candy and toffee. These items
can find good marketable value in future. Developing an innovative candy with enhanced
nutrients may add a new variety of the candy to the existing array of candies available in
global market. The fruits and vegetables are highly perishable and cannot be stored for
longer period. A considerable proportion of these produce is lost during production
season due to surplus availability and improper post-harvest handling. It is, therefore
imperative to develop suitable technology for preservation and processing of such surplus
produce.

Process development and formulation of whey-based vegetable soups and evaluation

of their Nutritional properties
Whey a protein complex dived from milk is being acknowledged as a functional food
with a number of health benefits. The biological components of whey, including
lactoferrin, betaloctoglobulin, alpha lactalbumin, glycolmacropeptide and
immunoglobulin demonstrate a range of immune enhancing properties. Whey has the
ability to act as an antioxidant, antihypertensive, antitumor, hypolipidemic, antiviral,
antibacterial and chelating agent. Today whey is a popular dietary protein supplement
purported to provide antimicrobial activity, immune modulation, improved muscle
strength and body composition, and to prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
Several nutritionally important constituents in whey having excellent functional
characteristics enhance opportunities for a wide-range application of whey and whey
constituents in the food industry. Dried soup powders have an advantage of protection
from enzymatic and oxidative spoilage and flavor stability at room temperature over long
periods of time (6–12 months). In addition, they are ready for reconstitution in a short
time for working families, hotels, hospitals and restaurants.

Study Of Precious Metals and Upgradation of Copper Ore of Balochistan

Huge reserves of copper ore are presents/reported in chagai District of balochistan. Reko
Diq, saindak, amuri represents one of the largest copper and gold reserves in the Pakistan
having estimated reserves of 5.9 billion tons of ore grading 0.41% copper and gold
reserves amounting to 41.5 million. The area has been a subject of research and
exploration by mining companies due to its potential for large scale mining operations.
Typically focus on such as evolution precious metals as well as upgradation of copper in
reko diq copper ore.
The global market has announced copper as a modern energy metal and finds its
extensive utilization in the electrical wiring, power transmission lines, alloying,
anticorrosive, coating, heat exchangers, refrigeration tubing, etc. Copper ore is primarily
beneficiated from sulphide mineral deposits. Due to high‐grade copper sulphide deposit
exhaustion, the focus has now shifted towards recovery from different lean‐grade oxide
and mixed ore deposits. Extensive research has been carried out on the flotation of copper
sulphide ore as compared to copper oxide and mixed type ores.

Technical Reports
 Microbial Production of Pectinase by fermentation
 Isolation, identification and analysis of Probiotics from selective yogurts of
Quetta

Technical Services
Analytical and Testing Services
Analytical and testing services were provided public and private sector organizations.
Test related to food products, drinking water / wastewater and minerals and
petrochemicals products have been conducted. 27 clients availed analytical / testing &
advisory services for samples, enabling these labs. to generate income of Rs.50.54
million.

List of Important Clients Served

Sr. No. Name of Clients
1. Superintendent, Customs Dry Port (NLC), Model Custom Collectorate,
Quetta
2. Superintendent, Collectorate of Customs Appraisement, Custom
House, Taftan.
3. Superintendent, Collectorate of Customs Appraisement, Custom
House, Chaman.
4. Superintendent, Customs Railway Dry Port, Quetta
5. Deputy Director, PSQCA, SDC-Balochistan Reginal Office, Quetta
6. Commanding Officer, 136 Ordnance Unit, Quetta Cantt,
7. Public Health Engineering, Quetta
8. Water World International, Karachi
9. M/s Salwa Coal, Dukki
10. Saindak Copper Gold Mines, Saindak
11. Health Department, Govt. of Balochistan
12. Mehsood Coal Co. Mach

Seminars / Workshops/ Meetings / Visits/ Visitors

Field Visits

1. Field Visit to PCSIR Quetta by Participants of 39th Mid-career Management Course

by National Institute of Management (NIM)
A delegation comprising 26 officers from various federal and provincial government
departments participating in Mid-career course organized by National Institute of
Management (NIM) Quetta, undertook a purposeful field visit to the PCSIR Labs Quetta
on January 31, 2024.
Upon arrival, the delegation was guided through the Food Technology and Mineral
Technology Divisions, where they were acquainted with the intricate processes and
methodologies employed in research and development. A comprehensive briefing on the
overarching objectives of PCSIR across Pakistan was provided, shedding light on the
institution’s pivotal role in scientific advancement and industrial innovation.
In a tailored session specific to Balochistan, the officers were apprised of the specialized
research, testing and consultancy services offered by PCSIR Quetta. From addressing
regional challenges to facilitating economic growth, the officers gained a deeper
understanding of local context and pivotal role played by scientific interventions.
The interactive session concluded with a vibrant question-and-answer session segment,
fostering a collaborative exchange of insights and perspectives among the officers.
The delegation was graciously hosted with refreshments.

Figure 1: NIM visit to PCSIR Labs Quetta

 Figure 2: NIM Visit to PCSIR Quetta

Figure 3: NIM delegation being briefed at PCSIR Labs Quetta

 2. Visit of Secretory PCSIR
Secretory PCSIR visited PCSIR labs Quetta from 16 th to 19th May 2024 regarding
facts and finding committee and other activities at PCSIR Labs Quetta
3. SBK Women University Visit
A delegation of 50 students and staff of Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University
visited PCSIR Labs Quetta on educational trip on 15 July 2023. They students
were briefed about the testing and analysis and research and development
activities at PCSIR Labs Quetta

Trainings/ Seminars/Workshops attended:

Training Received:
 Ms. Hiba Amanat Ali (SO) Mr. Junaid Ahmed (SO) and Mr. Khurrum
Shahzad Buzdar (SO) received 05 days online virtual training of Auditor on
ISO 45001-2018 occupation health and safety training.
 Ms. Hiba Amanat Ali (SO) received a 05 days online virtual training on Food
supply chain in the informal sector from APO Japan.

Training Conducted:
 Four students of BS Mining Engineering of BUITEMS (Balochistan University
of Information technology, engineering and management Sciences Quetta) were
supervised and facilitated for their final year research work
.
 A Student of MPhil Biosciences University of Balochistan was facilitated for her
thesis research at food technology center.

Visits.
 Director PCSIR Quetta Visited SBK Women University Quetta
Engr. Nasir Ali Baloch, Director PCSIR Labs Quetta paid a visit to SBK Women
University Quetta to explore avenues of collaboration and mutual facilitation in research
endeavors. During his visit Engr. Nasir Ali Baloch met with registrar of the university to
discuss potential partnerships aimed at fostering scientific innovation and research
excellence among students. The dialogue focused on leveraging the expertise and
resources available at PCSIR labs to support and enhance research capabilities of
students.

 Other Visits
The Director of these labs. visited local industries time to time and offered lab facilities
for evaluation of their products.
 S. No Name of Industry
1. M/s Mratin Dow Marker Limited, Quetta
2. M/s Aqua Perfect Mineral Water, Jan Mohammad Road,
Quetta
3. M/s Rizwan Oil & Ghee Mills (Pvt.) Ltd. Quetta
4. M/s Farooq Ghee & Oil Mills (Pvt.) Ltd. Quetta
5. Department of Mines & Minerals, Balochistan
6. PSQCA, SDC- Balochistan Regional Office, Quetta

Liaison/Collaboration
PCSIR Laboratories Quetta offers technical guidance and advisory services to
organization from public and private sectors, students and researchers as well. During
the year under report, these labs. maintained collaboration with the following:

 Centre of excellence in Mineralogy, UOB, Quetta.

 Institute of Botony, UOB, Quetta.
 Institute of Biochemistry, UOB, Quetta.
 Agriculture Collage Quetta
 PPL Kallat Balochistan.
 Merck Marker Quetta
 Sardar Bahadur Khan University.
 Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences,
Quetta.
 Custom collectorate
 DMD Balochistan
 BUITEMS

Development Projects (PSDP)Nil