Solar systems planned for 8,000 rebuilt houses in Awaran
ISLAMABAD, July 29 (ABC): The Balochistan government has planned to install solar systems in 8,000 reconstructed permanent houses in Awaran district.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the cost of the housing project financed by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has been revised from Rs2.5 billion to approximately Rs2.825 billion, an increase of about 13 percent.
The documents state that the construction of all 8,000 permanent houses has been completed. However, procurement and installation of solar systems remain at the approval stage and are awaiting clearance from the Saudi Fund for Development.
Once approved, the remaining solarisation component will complete the project, providing solar power systems to all reconstructed houses in Awaran district.
Pakistan develops four potato varieties for fries, chips industry
LAHORE, July 28 (ABC): Scientists at the Potato Research Institute (PRI) Sahiwal have developed four new potato lines with high dry matter content (DMC) to support Pakistan’s growing processed potato industry, particularly the production of French fries and potato chips.
“We have recently developed four new potato lines with a dry matter content exceeding 22%,” Potato Research Institute Director Dr Rana Aftab Iqbal told Wealth Pakistan.
He identified the new lines as L 5-2, FD 74-30, FD 35-36 and FD 74-50.
High-DMC varieties for processing
Dr Aftab Iqbal said the Potato Research Institute, established in 2009, has developed 12 table potato varieties so far.
Three of them — Punjab, Sadaf and Ruby — have a dry matter content ranging from 20% to 22%.
He said high dry matter content is one of the most important characteristics for processed potato products because varieties with low DMC are unsuitable for producing quality French fries and potato chips.
“Table potato varieties with low dry matter content cannot be effectively processed into value-added products such as chips and French fries,” he said.
Locally adapted potato lines
According to Dr Aftab Iqbal, farmers in Punjab have traditionally preferred high-yielding table potato varieties because they produce better yields per acre. However, these varieties generally contain lower dry matter.
He said farmers have recently started cultivating imported high-DMC varieties, mostly of Dutch origin. These include Lady Rosetta, Hermes, Alverstone, Venus, Sante and Asterix.
“There is a need to develop more high-DMC varieties locally, as they are better adapted to Pakistan’s climatic conditions, including frost, drought and heat stress,” he said.
He added that farming practices, fertiliser management, particularly the type of potash applied, and harvesting time also influence the dry matter content of potatoes.
Value-added export potential
Dr Ahmad Din, Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Food Science and Technology, Faisalabad, said Pakistan produces around 10 million tonnes of potatoes annually and ranks among the world’s top 10 potato producers.
However, he said the country has yet to fully benefit from the expanding global market for processed potato products.
“It is mainly due to the cultivation of low-DMC potato varieties, which are unsuitable for processing into chips and French fries,” he told Wealth Pakistan.
Dr Ahmad said potato varieties with a dry matter content above 20% are preferred for French fries because they absorb less oil. This produces a crispier product and improves processing quality.
He said processors currently rely mainly on imported high-DMC potato varieties such as Sante, Lady Rosetta, Cardinal and Asterix for producing chips and French fries.
He added that expanding local production of high-DMC potato varieties would help utilise surplus potato output through value addition while increasing returns for growers and processors.
Punjab to train 10,000 teachers in STEM, green skills
ISLAMABAD, July 27 (ABC): Punjab will train at least 10,000 teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and green skills under a $100 million Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded programme to strengthen secondary education in the province.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the Responsive, Ready and Resilient STEM Secondary Education in Punjab programme will continue until June 2030.
The programme aims to improve access to quality STEM education, particularly for girls. It also includes upgrades to school infrastructure, laboratories and teacher training.
Teacher training and school upgrades
The programme targets an increase of at least 50,000 students in Grades 9 and 10 in participating schools. Girls will account for at least half of the additional enrolment.
The initiative also plans to construct or renovate multipurpose STEM laboratories in at least 2,300 schools. These laboratories will be equipped with modern software and laboratory equipment.
According to the documents, the programme will provide gender-sensitive and inclusive STEM and green skills training to at least 10,000 teachers.
Focus on girls’ education
The programme will establish STEM and green skills clubs in participating schools. These clubs are expected to benefit at least 40,000 girls.
The initiative also includes strengthening school leadership and improving learning outcomes for Grade 10 science students.
According to the documents, laboratory management in at least 100 participating schools will be outsourced to private-sector partners to improve operational efficiency.
Preparing students for future careers
The STEM programme aims to strengthen science education across Punjab.
It seeks to equip students with practical knowledge and technical skills needed for higher education and future employment opportunities.
Sui uplift package nears completion as six of eight schemes finish
ISLAMABAD, July 26 (ABC): The federal government has entered the final phase of the PSDP-funded Sui Special Development Package after completing six of its eight schemes. Work continues on the remaining two road projects.
Official documents available with Wealth Pakistan show that the government has proposed Rs256.757 million for the package in the 2026-27 financial year.
The package has a total approved cost of Rs4.698 billion. As of June 30, 2026, the government had released or spent Rs3.852 billion.
Electrification schemes completed
According to the documents, all three electrification schemes under the package have been completed.
The schemes have a combined cost of Rs1.83 billion. Releases and expenditure reached Rs1.625 billion.
The completed projects include a 132KV grid station in Sui and a 132KV transmission line from Kashmore to Sui. They also include a 132KV grid station in Dera Bugti, a 132KV Sui-Dera Bugti transmission line and the electrification of villages in Dera Bugti.
Road projects near completion
The road sector comprises five schemes with a combined cost of Rs2.868 billion.
According to the documents, three road schemes have already been completed. They have a combined cost of Rs1.229 billion, while releases and expenditure reached Rs1.151 billion.
The completed projects include the construction of a blacktop road from Doli Check Post to Sighari Road, Bashshapur Link and Kot Jani Bari Road. They also include the construction of a blacktopped road from Dera Bugti to Pirkoh, Habib Rahi, Vedara and Killi Mured, along with the improvement of the Sui-Dera Bugti Road and construction of a blacktopped link road at Dera Bugti.
Two schemes under implementation
The remaining two road schemes are under implementation. Together, they carry a combined cost of Rs1.639 billion.
The documents show that Rs1.082 billion had been released or spent on these projects by June 30, 2026. The government has allocated another Rs256.757 million for FY2026-27.
One project involves the construction of a blacktopped road from Lehri to Sangsila Road (Phase-I). It has a total cost of Rs841 million. Releases and expenditure stand at Rs535 million, while the FY2026-27 allocation amounts to Rs156 million.
The second project covers the construction of a 57-kilometre blacktopped road from Sui to Uch Field. It has a total cost of Rs797.710 million. Releases and expenditure have reached Rs546.953 million, while the government has allocated Rs100.757 million for FY2026-27.
Final phase underway
According to the documents, the Sui Special Development Package focuses on improving road connectivity and electricity infrastructure in Dera Bugti district through PSDP-funded investments.
With only two road schemes remaining, the package has entered its final stage. The government has earmarked funding for FY2026-27 to support their completion.
Pakistan completes six-year rice productivity enhancement project
ISLAMABAD, July 25 (ABC): Pakistan has completed a six-year rice productivity enhancement project in Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The initiative introduced modern farm machinery, water-saving technologies and improved rice varieties to help narrow the gap between actual and potential yields.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the government adopted an integrated approach that focused on modern technology, research and development, better access to quality inputs and farmer capacity building. The measures were implemented under the mega PSDP project titled “Productivity Enhancement of Rice” during 2019-2025.
Modern farming practices
The project promoted farm mechanisation through laser land levellers, mechanical rice transplanters and combine harvesters. Farmers received these machines on a 50% cost-sharing basis to encourage the adoption of modern rice production methods and improve field efficiency.
According to the documents, the programme also promoted smart agriculture practices. These included precision farming, Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to improve crop management and enhance productivity.
Improved rice varieties
The government supported the development and introduction of high-yielding, disease-resistant and climate-resilient rice varieties through advanced research initiatives.
These efforts aimed to improve crop productivity while strengthening the resilience of rice cultivation against climate-related challenges.
Water-saving technologies
Water management remained another major focus of the project.
The programme promoted alternate wetting and drying, drip irrigation and solarisation of tube wells to improve water-use efficiency. These measures support higher productivity while conserving water in rice cultivation.
International collaboration
The project also strengthened international cooperation.
According to the documents, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and China supported technology transfer and the adoption of modern rice production practices in Pakistan.
Rs327 million spent on Khyber Pass Economic Corridor project
ISLAMABAD, July 25 (ABC): The government has spent Rs326.95 million on the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor (KPEC) project as of June 2026.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the government has allocated Rs2.5 billion for the project in the 2026-27 fiscal year. The allocation includes Rs300 million from domestic resources and Rs2.2 billion in World Bank financing.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the revised project in July 2020. The project has a total PC-I cost of about Rs77.9 billion. It aims to upgrade transport infrastructure linking Peshawar with the Torkham border crossing.
Procurement stage continues
According to the documents, the project remained in the procurement stage as of July 1, 2026.
Cumulative expenditure reached Rs326.95 million by the end of June this year. The remaining Rs77.58 billion will be spent during the implementation phase.
Regional trade and connectivity
The Khyber Pass Economic Corridor aims to strengthen trade links between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It also seeks to lay the foundation for greater connectivity with Central Asia.
The project will improve road infrastructure and reduce travel time. It will also facilitate freight movement, improve road safety and enhance logistics efficiency along one of Pakistan’s busiest international trade routes.
According to the documents, the project will boost regional commerce and support economic activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is also expected to improve market access, attract private investment and create jobs during construction and operation.
Strategic transport corridor
The project forms part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to modernise its transport network and deepen regional economic integration.
Once completed, the corridor will provide a more efficient transport route for cross-border trade. It is also expected to reduce logistics costs and strengthen Pakistan’s role as a regional trade and transit corridor linking South Asia with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
