PM Shehbaz inaugurates upgraded geoscience research labs

In what he described as a major step forward in strengthening the country’s mineral research and exploration capacity, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated the Geological Survey of Pakistan's (GSP) upgraded Geoscience Advanced Research Laboratories (GARL).

The inauguration ceremony took place at the newly modernised GARL complex in Chak Shehzad.

The event was attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, and several foreign dignitaries, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the upgraded Geoscience Advanced Research Laboratories (GARL) of the Geological Survey of Pakistan on Friday. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) along with Federal Ministers and distinguished… pic.twitter.com/u7VcleJIzr

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) October 17, 2025

"The facility, originally established in 1991, has undergone comprehensive modernization to meet international standards," read a statement shared by state television.

It said that the revitalized laboratory complex in Chak Shehzad now holds ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, certifying its technical competence for testing and calibration according to global benchmarks.

"This development enables the facility to provide internationally recognized analytical data required by mining companies for reserve estimation under JORC and NI 43-101 reporting standards," it added.