National Exhibition on Food & Natural Products Highlights “Bio-Innovations for Sustainability and Solutions” at ICLELS-2026
Rawalpindi, Pakistan — A vibrant National Exhibition on Food & Natural Products was organized on the eve of the International Conference & Expo on Life and Environmental Sciences (ICLELS-2026) under the thematic focus of “Bio-Innovations for Sustainability and Solutions.” The exhibition attracted significant attention from national and international delegates, researchers, industry representatives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers participating in the conference.
The exhibition served as a dynamic platform to showcase innovative food, herbal, nutraceutical, and natural product technologies developed through scientific research and sustainable bioresource utilization. Delegates from several countries, including representatives of the U.S. State Department, expressed keen interest in the displayed products and appreciated the efforts aimed at promoting sustainability, green entrepreneurship, and bioeconomy-based solutions.
A major highlight of the exhibition was the impressive display of more than 20 innovative herbals, nutraceutical, wellness, and natural products presented by Prof. Dr. Rahmatullah Qureshi through his company, Himalaya Hemp & Health (Pvt.) Limited, a pioneering spin-off company of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University.
The products reflected research-driven innovations in the fields of herbal healthcare, hemp-based nutraceuticals, wellness formulations, herbal teas, natural cosmetics, and sustainable health products. The exhibition demonstrated the transformative role of academic research in promoting commercialization, entrepreneurship, and community-oriented product development.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Rahmatullah Qureshi stated that this entrepreneurial initiative is the first of its kind in the history of the university and represents a real-time forward-looking model for innovation-driven academic entrepreneurship in Pakistan. He emphasized that the initiative would serve as a benchmark for other universities across the country to adopt similar research-based entrepreneurial approaches for national development.
Prof. Qureshi further highlighted that the initiative launched under the leadership of the Faculty of Sciences aims to strengthen student capacity building, skill development, innovation culture, community empowerment and sustainable economic growth.
He remarked that such initiatives provide students with practical exposure and hands-on learning opportunities that bridge the gap between academia, industry, and society.
Prof. Qureshi also shared that Himalaya Hemp & Health (Pvt.) Limited is operating on four major pillars; Research, Product Development, Education and Capacity Building
These pillars collectively aim to promote holistic wellbeing, sustainable livelihoods, and scientific innovation for the benefit of society and the country.
Participants and visitors highly appreciated the exhibition for promoting indigenous knowledge, scientific innovation, sustainable products, and entrepreneurship linked with biodiversity and natural resources. The event successfully highlighted the growing role of universities in fostering innovation ecosystems and contributing toward sustainable development goals through bio-based solutions and research commercialization.
