The University of Karachi has inaugurated the Center of Digital Forensic Science and Technology (CDFST), Sindh’s first dedicated digital forensic science facility, marking a major step forward in cybersecurity, digital crime investigation, and academic research. The state-of-the-art center was opened by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, with funding provided by the federal government through the Higher Education Commission (HEC). This milestone makes it Sindh’s third overall 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 CDFST is part of a larger development project launched in 2018, which also includes the construction of a new research center and a girls’ hostel on campus. He confirmed that the building’s construction is complete and that the installation of laboratory equipment and other technical resources is in its final stages. Sheikh noted that digital forensics in Pakistan remains an emerging field, currently dominated by the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Wing and the Punjab Forensic Agency. The new center aims to consolidate digital forensic capabilities within Sindh under one academic and research hub.
Built at a cost of Rs. 308 million, the 38,000-square-foot complex includes 23 classrooms, 11 advanced laboratories, 32 offices, and 18 storage facilities. The infrastructure is equipped with modern surveillance systems, high-tech networking capabilities, and accessibility features to accommodate students and faculty with disabilities, ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Dr. Nadeem Mahmood, Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science, highlighted that the CDFST will serve as both an academic and research facility, designed to train professionals in cyber forensics, data recovery, and digital investigation. He emphasized that the center’s establishment will help strengthen forensic science education and bridge the gap between academia and law enforcement agencies in Sindh.
While the construction phase is complete, Dr. Mahmood added that academic and operational activities are expected to begin within the next two to four months. Once fully functional, the CDFST will serve as a regional hub for innovation in digital forensic research, capacity building, and cybersecurity awareness across Pakistan.
