Foul Play? COMSATS’ bioinformatics lab burnt

Fire system at Comsats Islamabad campus has reportedly been out of order for last six months

ISLAMABAD: A bioinformatics laboratory at Comsats University has been reduced to ashes after a fire broke out in it over the weekend, causing an estimated loss of Rs100 million.

The fire started in the bioinformatics laboratory in the Biosciences Department over the weekend where over 70 high-end advanced computers are placed.

Apart from the destruction of property, research data of 10 scientists and around 80 students have also been lost together with key documents. While the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, some believe that foul play cannot be ruled out since there was an inquiry underway regarding kickbacks for purchasing equipment for the lab at exorbitant prices.

Moreover, the fire system at the Comsats Islamabad campus has reportedly been out of order for the last six months.  

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2018.