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Pakistan plans major grid upgrades at Faisalabad, Islamabad, Ghazi-Barotha

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Pakistan plans major grid upgrades at Faisalabad, Islamabad, Ghazi-Barotha

ISLAMABAD, Sep 3 (ABC): Pakistan plans to upgrade key power transmission infrastructure at Faisalabad West, Islamabad West and Ghazi-Barotha grid stations under the Power Transmission Strengthening Project-II (PTSP-II).

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the project will upgrade the Faisalabad West Grid Station by adding two 500-kV line bays. It will also install 111-MVAR shunt reactors at three major grid stations.

The planned shunt reactors will be installed at Faisalabad West, Islamabad West and Ghazi-Barotha grid stations. These installations form part of the project’s planned high-voltage transmission infrastructure.

Transmission works at Islamabad West

The project also includes two 220-kV transmission lines at Islamabad West Grid Station. These works will complement the other transmission upgrades planned under PTSP-II.

Overall, the development works cover 500-kV line bays, 220-kV transmission lines and reactive power equipment at the identified grid stations.

ADB provides $45m concessional financing

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting the development works through a $45 million concessional loan under PTSP-II.

The documents identify the financing as ADB Loan No. 4692-PAK. Pakistan signed the loan on December 25, 2025, and it became effective on March 24, 2026.

The loan will remain available until its scheduled closing date of December 31, 2031. According to the documents, the entire $45 million financing currently remains unutilised.

The planned upgrades will strengthen high-voltage transmission infrastructure at the three grid stations and add equipment needed to support the transmission network.

MIPD celebrates 100% Cambridge PDQ success, welcomes new programme leaders

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MIPD celebrates 100% Cambridge PDQ success, welcomes new programme leaders

ISLAMABAD Sept 02 (ABC): Millennium Institute of Professional Development MIPD, the professional development arm of The Millennium Education Group TME, has marked another significant milestone in its commitment to educator development and professional excellence, celebrating a 100% success rate in the Cambridge Professional Development Qualification (PDQ) while also welcoming four new Cambridge Programme Leaders to further strengthen its professional learning portfolio says a press release.

MIPD proudly announced the outstanding performance of its candidates in the January 2026 Cambridge International Certificate in Early Years Good Practice (CICEYGP). All eight candidates successfully qualified, achieving an exceptional 100% success rate.

Among the successful candidates, Faria Shaukat and Latafat Rasheed earned the prestigious Distinction grade, reflecting their dedication, professional competence, and commitment to excellence in early years education.

The achievement also reflects the continuous guidance and mentorship of Programme Leaders Ms. Ambreen Younis and Ms. Ayesha Dogar, whose professional expertise and dedicated support played an important role in guiding the candidates throughout their Cambridge PDQ journey.

Building on this achievement and further expanding its professional development capacity, MIPD has also welcomed four new Cambridge Programme Leaders — Bushra Mujahid, Tehmina Ahsan, Alyna Ishaq, and Arooj Fatima Raza — to its growing team of education professionals.

The newly appointed Programme Leaders bring diverse expertise spanning teacher development, curriculum leadership, digital learning, instructional innovation, and educational technology.

Bushra Mujahid, Alyna Ishaq, and Arooj Fatima Raza will lead the Cambridge International Certificate in Teaching with Digital Technologies (CICTDT), while Tehmina Ahsan will lead the Cambridge International Certificate in Teaching and Learning (CICTL).

This achievement also reflects the visionary leadership and continued commitment of Dr. Faisal Mushtaq, Chairman & CEO, The Millennium Education Group, whose outstanding contributions to education, teacher development, and institutional excellence have remained central to TME’s educational journey.

Under his leadership, The Millennium Education Group continues to invest in internationally recognised professional development opportunities, innovative teaching practices, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at empowering educators and strengthening the quality of teaching and learning across Pakistan.

His enduring vision of developing globally competent educators and future-ready learners continues to inspire professional excellence and educational transformation across the TME community.

Through internationally recognised professional development programmes and sustained investment in educator learning, The Millennium Education Group remains committed to fostering a culture of continuous professional growth, innovation, and excellence in teaching and learning across Pakistan.

TDAP exhibitions secure $312m in actualized business, $675m more in process

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TDAP exhibitions secure $312m in actualized business, $675m more in process

ISLAMABAD, Sept 2 (ABC): Pakistan’s major trade exhibitions have so far secured $312 million in actualized business, while another $675 million worth of transactions are in process.

Data available with Wealth Pakistan on the outcomes of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan’s (TDAP) flagship events shows that four major exhibitions held during 2024 and 2025 generated an estimated $3.364 billion in business opportunities.

The four events — 2nd FoodAg 2024, 5th TEXPO 2024, 4th HEMS 2025 and 3rd FoodAg 2025 — collectively attracted 3,100 foreign delegates and 1,150 exhibitors. They also facilitated 17,825 business-to-business (B2B) meetings between Pakistani businesses and potential buyers.

The figures indicate that $312 million of the estimated business generated through the exhibitions has so far materialised. In addition, TDAP reported another $675 million as being in process across three of the four events.

FoodAg 2024 generates $1.2bn in opportunities

The 2nd FoodAg 2024 generated the highest estimated business value among the four exhibitions, reaching $1.2 billion.

The event attracted 873 foreign delegates from 73 countries and featured 320 exhibitors. Participants held 6,425 B2B meetings during the exhibition.

Of the estimated business generated at FoodAg 2024, $39 million has been actualized so far, while another $205 million is in process.

The 5th TEXPO 2024, meanwhile, attracted 527 foreign delegates from 60 countries and brought together 272 exhibitors.

The exhibition facilitated 2,700 B2B meetings and generated an estimated $982 million in business opportunities. Of this amount, $135 million has so far translated into actualized business.

HEMS secures $67m in actualized business

The 4th HEMS 2025 attracted 850 foreign delegates representing 70 countries and featured 186 exhibitors.

The event facilitated 3,000 B2B meetings and generated an estimated business value of $452 million.

Of this, $67 million has already been actualized, while transactions worth another $249 million are in process.

Meanwhile, the 3rd FoodAg 2025 attracted 850 foreign delegates from 85 countries and featured 372 exhibitors.

Participants held 5,700 B2B meetings, generating an estimated $730 million in business opportunities. Of this amount, $71 million has been actualized, while another $221 million is in process.

FoodAg events generate $1.93bn in opportunities

Together, the two FoodAg exhibitions generated an estimated $1.93 billion in business opportunities, accounting for more than half of the combined estimated business generated by the four events.

TEXPO 2024 generated an estimated $982 million, while HEMS 2025 accounted for another $452 million.

The figures also show a sizeable difference between estimated business opportunities generated at the exhibitions and transactions actualized so far. However, another $675 million is specifically reported as being in process across FoodAg 2024, HEMS 2025 and FoodAg 2025.

Overall, the four exhibitions generated an estimated $3.364 billion in business opportunities through 17,825 B2B meetings involving 3,100 foreign delegates and 1,150 exhibitors.

The data highlights TDAP’s use of international exhibitions and direct business meetings to connect Pakistani exporters with overseas buyers and generate new commercial opportunities.

Is AI eliminating jobs?

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Is AI eliminating jobs?

Pakistan’s industrial revival: are good days back for factories?

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Pakistan’s industrial revival: are good days back for factories?

165 village conservation committees set up under Green Pakistan Programme

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165 village conservation committees set up under Green Pakistan Programme

ISLAMABAD, Sept 1 (ABC): As many as 165 village conservation committees (VCCs) have been established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) under the wildlife component of the Upscaling Green Pakistan Programme (UGPP), expanding community participation in wildlife and habitat conservation.

According to official data available with Wealth Pakistan, detailing progress on major wildlife activities from FY2019 to the third quarter of FY2025-26, AJK accounts for 115 of the committees, while KP has established another 50. AJK therefore accounts for nearly 70% of the total, with KP accounting for the remainder.

The data records no VCCs under this particular activity for Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan or Gilgit-Baltistan. However, these regions have participated in several other conservation activities covered by the programme.

The VCCs form part of a wider range of wildlife interventions under the UGPP. These include expansion and management of protected areas, wildlife monitoring, community-based conservation, eco-tourism infrastructure and measures to curb illegal wildlife trade.

The progress data shows that 131 new protected areas have been established under the Protected Areas Initiative. Punjab accounts for 65 of these areas and KP for 29, while Gilgit-Baltistan has 16. Balochistan and AJK account for two each, according to the data.

The programme has also developed 70 management plans for protected areas. Gilgit-Baltistan leads with 32 plans, followed by AJK with 20 and KP with 14. Punjab accounts for three management plans and Balochistan for one.

Efforts to improve wildlife monitoring and curb illegal trade have also progressed. The programme has established 52 wildlife check posts, while authorities have conducted 148 wildlife surveys across different regions.

Community-based conservation represents another major area of activity. The data records 247 community-based projects, including 197 in Balochistan and 50 in KP.

The programme has also focused on improving water availability for wildlife, with 1,145 water points reported so far. Of these, 980 are in Balochistan, 120 in KP and 45 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Other interventions include 31 eco-tourism infrastructure initiatives in existing and new protected areas and the establishment of 24 breeding centres. The programme has also undertaken 47 solid-waste management interventions in protected areas.

In addition, six dossiers have been developed for the declaration of sites as Man and the Biosphere reserves under UNESCO, reflecting efforts to strengthen the international recognition and conservation of important ecosystems.

Employment generation is another component of the programme. According to the progress data, the wildlife component has generated 4,939 green jobs since the programme began.

The UGPP was initiated in 2019 as a nationwide programme covering forestry and wildlife resources, with its wildlife interventions ranging from protected-area management and habitat improvement to community participation and conservation-related employment.

Pakistan targets over 132,000 youth, students in digital skills push

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Pakistan targets over 132,000 youth, students in digital skills push

ISLAMABAD, Sept 1 (ABC): Pakistan is stepping up efforts to expand its digital workforce, with government-backed programmes targeting more than 132,000 students, engineers and young people for training in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and other emerging technologies.

According to an official document available with Wealth Pakistan, the National Semiconductor HR Development Programme (INSPIRE) will target 7,200 individuals. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s SkillTech Pakistan Initiative plans to train more than 25,000 youth over the next three years.

In addition, the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) has entered into a partnership with ZTE Pakistan to provide online technology training to 100,000 students.

Together, the three initiatives target more than 132,000 beneficiaries as Pakistan seeks to develop an export-ready digital workforce and strengthen its IT and IT-enabled services sector.

INSPIRE targets semiconductor talent

PSEB is implementing the INSPIRE programme to develop Pakistan’s semiconductor talent pipeline.

Under the programme, Semiconductor Education and Research Clusters will benefit 2,200 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Another 5,000 engineers will receive support through nationwide upskilling programmes, taking the total number of targeted beneficiaries to 7,200.

The programme aims to build human resources for the semiconductor industry and strengthen Pakistan’s capacity in an increasingly important area of the global technology sector.

Over 25,000 youth to receive emerging-tech training

Alongside the semiconductor programme, the Prime Minister’s SkillTech Pakistan Initiative will train more than 25,000 youth during the next three years.

The training will focus on emerging and industry-demanded technologies. These include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics and software development.

The initiative goes beyond technical training. It will also offer bootcamps, professional certifications, internships and soft-skills development.

Industry linkages will form another part of the programme to improve employability and prepare participants for opportunities in domestic and international technology markets.

100,000 students covered under ZTE partnership

PSEB has also entered into a Youth Development Agreement with ZTE Pakistan to train 100,000 students through online learning programmes.

The training will cover emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, 5G and modern communication technologies.

The partnership also envisages developing 100 certified trainers through a Training of Trainers programme.

The three programmes collectively represent a major expansion of technology skills development as Pakistan seeks to increase the supply of trained professionals for its growing digital economy.

Push aimed at strengthening IT exports

The skills programmes form part of a broader government strategy to strengthen Pakistan’s IT and IT-enabled services exports.

The strategy combines workforce development with international market access, industry facilitation and expansion of digital infrastructure.

To increase the global presence of Pakistani technology companies, PSEB is facilitating their participation in international technology exhibitions.

It is also supporting targeted trade missions and business matchmaking initiatives. These measures aim to connect Pakistani companies with overseas clients, attract foreign investment and create new export opportunities.

Technology infrastructure being expanded

The government is also expanding the network of Prime Minister’s National Technology Parks to 250 centres.

At the same time, work includes the development of IT parks in Islamabad and Karachi and the establishment of Software Technology Parks.

These facilities aim to provide infrastructure and support services for startups, small and medium enterprises, freelancers and established IT companies.

The expansion is expected to strengthen the wider ecosystem required for technology businesses to grow and access international markets.

One-window platform supports IT industry

PSEB has strengthened industry facilitation through its MARKAZ one-window platform.

The platform provides round-the-clock assistance in areas such as registration, visa facilitation, foreign remittance matters, regulatory coordination and investor services.

PSEB has also fully digitised its registration process. Companies can now complete registration and renewal online and obtain QR code-enabled verifiable certificates.

On the financial and regulatory side, PSEB is working with the State Bank of Pakistan to improve banking services for IT exporters.

The measures include dedicated banking channels, specialised focal persons and improvements in foreign exchange procedures.

Efforts also cover expansion of the Digital Service Providers List, streamlined realisation of export proceeds and facilitation of Exporter Special Foreign Currency Accounts.

US procurement training opens new opportunities

Pakistan has also launched its first US State, Local and Education (SLED) Procurement Training Programme.

The programme aims to help Pakistani IT companies and professionals understand public procurement procedures in the United States.

By improving knowledge of procurement requirements, the initiative seeks to increase the ability of Pakistani technology firms to compete for international contracts.

Together, the skills, infrastructure, market-access and regulatory initiatives are aimed at developing a larger technology workforce and strengthening Pakistan’s position in international IT and digital services markets.

Govt plans 884km rail upgrade to connect Chagai minerals with global market

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Govt plans 884km rail upgrade to connect Chagai minerals with global market

ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (ABC): The government plans to upgrade an 884-kilometre railway link from Rohri to Nokundi to connect the mineral-rich Chagai region with global markets through Pakistan’s national rail network.

According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the project involves upgrading Main Line-3 (ML-3) from Rohri to Nokundi. It forms part of the Reko Diq Rail Connectivity Project.

The upgraded railway corridor will provide rail connectivity for mineral resources from the Chagai region and link the area with Main Line-1 (ML-1), facilitating access to domestic and international markets.

Pakistan Railways and Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) began coordination on the project in 2023. The initial work included joint site visits and technical studies.

The first meeting of the Pakistan Railways-RDMC technical, commercial and legal working groups took place on July 19, 2024.

$390m bridge financing arranged

The project moved forward in August 2025 when the prime minister approved a $390 million bridge financing arrangement by RDMC.

The approval, granted on August 8, 2025, paved the way for financing the implementation of the rail connectivity project.

On the same day, authorities also approved the PC-II for the detailed design of the track upgradation.

Following the approval, Pakistan Railways initiated the procurement process to engage a design consultant for the project.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) subsequently approved the Rail Development and Bridge Financing Agreements related to the Reko Diq Rail Connectivity Project.

According to the documents, the $390 million bridge funding agreement and the Rail Development Agreement have since been executed with RDMC.

Active management phase underway

During the second Steering Committee meeting on March 30, 2026, RDMC informed the participants about the next phase of the project.

According to the company, the project would enter a 12-month active management phase lasting until June 30, 2027.

This phase will precede the expected start of physical construction work on the railway corridor.

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) principally recommended the project’s PC-I on June 18, 2026.

The project will now require approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

Groundbreaking expected in July 2027

According to the documents, groundbreaking for the 884km rail upgradation project is expected in July 2027.

The project will upgrade the existing ML-3 corridor between Rohri and Nokundi, creating improved railway connectivity for the mineral-rich western region.

The rail link is particularly important for the development of mineral resources in Chagai, which hosts major deposits including Reko Diq.

By connecting the region with ML-1, the upgraded corridor is expected to provide an important transportation route for moving mineral output towards domestic and international markets.

The project therefore represents a major rail infrastructure initiative linked with the development of Pakistan’s mineral resources and their integration with the country’s wider transport network.

Big news for Pakistan’s potato and chips industry

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Big news for Pakistan’s potato and chips industry

Is Pakistan’s agriculture entering a new era?

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Is Pakistan’s agriculture entering a new era?
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