Dr. Yousuf Zafar, Director General Agriculture and Biotechnology, was announced to be the scientist of the year 2012. This award has been announced by the ICAC after recognizing the ground breaking efforts by Dr. Yousuf Zafar.

ICAC is related to the United Nations and is linked with United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The body comprises 54 members representing different countires.

Dr. Zafar, DG at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, hails from Faisalabad and has almost 110 published scientific papers which according to the ICAC comprises up to 90 per cent of the global published literature in the field of cotton virology.

Dr. Zadar, while leading his team at the National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in Faisalabad, have led to the emergence of nearly 100 M. Phil and 30 Ph. D Pakistan-based students, focusing on various aspects of research and development in cotton.

In 2001, Dr Zafar was awarded the best scientist of the year award by the Pakistan Atomic Commission. The prominent cotton scientist has also been awarded a Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Distinction) in 2004 for his services within the field of cotton virology.