Establishment of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan was conceptualized in 2002. Coincidently around the same time Dr Muhammd Akhtar, then the only FRS of Pakistani origin, had retired from Southampton University, UK, after an illustrious career. Mr. Akhtar Saeed, then Education Minister, Government of the Punjab, took an unprecedented personal initiative to pursue Dr. Akhtar to come to Lahore and contribute to a national cause. Thus started the Punjab Government-Punjab University joint project for the establishment of the School of Biological Sciences, subsequently approved by the University of the Punjab Syndicate, as a part of the university, within the provisions of the University of the Punjab.