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14 new bridges built, 16 repaired in Sindh’s flood-hit areas

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (ABC): Sindh has made significant progress in restoring flood-damaged road infrastructure, completing 14 out of 17 new bridges and repairing 16 out of 24 bridges under a major rehabilitation project.

According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the Sindh component of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-financed Emergency Flood Assistance Project (EFAP) covers the rehabilitation of roads, bridges and culverts damaged by floods.

The project brief shows that contractors have blacktopped 732 kilometres of the 829 kilometres of roads included in the revised project scope. The road network comprises 41 roads divided into 17 packages, with nine packages now substantially complete.

Bridges, culverts record major progress

The project has also made substantial progress on bridges and drainage infrastructure. Of the 17 new bridges planned, contractors have completed 14, including the Tangwani Bridge in Kashmore district.

They have also completed repairs to 16 of the 24 bridges covered by the project.

Meanwhile, contractors have completed 920 of the 996 new culverts planned under the project. They have also repaired 461 of the targeted 505 culverts.

Project cost revised to Rs60.05bn

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) originally approved the project on December 6, 2022. At that stage, the project carried a total cost of Rs48.4 billion, equivalent to $220 million.

The original financing included an ADB share of Rs43.974 billion, or $199.9 million. The Sindh government was to contribute Rs4.425 billion, equivalent to $20.1 million.

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) recommended a revised PC-I to ECNEC on February 6, 2026. The revised project carries a total cost of Rs60.053 billion, equivalent to $212.20 million.

Under the revised financing plan, ADB will provide Rs52.067 billion, or $183.98 million. The Sindh government’s share stands at Rs7.986 billion, equivalent to $28.21 million.

Road rehabilitation scope expanded

Under the original framework, the project aimed to rehabilitate 400 kilometres of roads. This target was outlined in ADB’s Project Administration Manual issued in November 2022.

Subsequently, an ADB field mission finalised 849 kilometres of roads for rehabilitation. The revised PC-I now covers 829 kilometres.

With 732 kilometres already blacktopped, the project has completed asphalt-wearing work on about 88% of the road length covered by the revised scope.

Chinese firm to upgrade four SEPCO grid stations

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 11 (ABC): A Chinese company will upgrade four Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) grid stations from 66kV to 132kV under a $40 million Asian Development Bank (ADB)-supported power project.

According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the project covers grid stations at Radhan, Thari Mir Wah, Nara-II and Padidan.

SEPCO has awarded the grid-station conversion package, identified as SEPCO-EPC-001, to Chinese company M/s Jiangsu Ankura Intelligent Electric Co., Ltd. The contract carries a value equivalent to $11.728 million.

The contract value comprises a foreign-currency component of $6.612 million and a local-currency component of Rs1,432.444 million.

Initial project activities underway

SEPCO and the contractor signed the agreement on February 4, 2026. Project progress details show that the advance payment for the foreign-currency component has already been disbursed.

Meanwhile, the contractor is proceeding with letter of credit processing, design submissions and soil-investigation activities.

The conversion of the four grid stations from 66kV to 132kV forms part of a broader programme of SEPCO investments. The Asian Development Bank is supporting the programme through ADB Loan No. 4567-PAK, which carries financing of $40 million.

AMI, feeder upgrades also included

The programme includes several other packages aimed at strengthening SEPCO’s electricity distribution infrastructure.

According to the documents, SEPCO plans to procure 1,200 APMS units and implement an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project involving 50,000 units. Another package covers the bifurcation of 40 11kV feeders.

The programme also provides project implementation consultancy services for the grid-station component. Separate consultancy services will support the AMI, APMS and 11kV feeder bifurcation components.

Together, these investments cover grid-station upgrades, advanced metering and feeder improvements as part of the ADB-supported programme to strengthen SEPCO’s power distribution infrastructure.

Govt plans flood protection for 15.76m people, additional 12.8 MAF water storage

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 10 (ABC): The government’s water-sector development programme aims to protect around 15.76 million people from floods and add 12.8 million acre-feet (MAF) of water storage. The programme covers dams, irrigation infrastructure, urban water supply and flood management.

According to a document available with Wealth Pakistan, the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27 includes 35 water-sector projects. These projects carry a total cost of Rs2.102 trillion and had a throw-forward of Rs880.267 billion as of July 1, 2026. The government has allocated Rs74.920 billion for them in 2026-27.

Major dams to expand water storage

Under Uraan Pakistan, the government aims to substantially increase surface-water storage capacity. The framework sets a target of raising storage by 10 MAF, from a 2023-24 baseline of 13.5 MAF to 23.5 MAF by 2029.

The development programme includes large, medium and small dams. It covers 21 projects, including Diamer-Basha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Nai Gaj Dam and Naulong Dam.

Together, the planned interventions are expected to add 12.8 MAF of storage capacity. The document projects total storage of 26.3 MAF after these interventions, compared with the 13.5 MAF baseline.

The additional capacity is expected to improve per-capita water availability. It will also provide more water for irrigation, industrial and domestic needs.

Irrigation upgrades target lower water losses

The programme also aims to improve water availability at the farmgate by reducing conveyance losses by 33%. It targets an increase in farmgate water availability from 63.5 MAF to 84.2 MAF.

Major irrigation works include the remodelling and lining of Pat Feeder and completion of the remaining works of Kachhi Canal Phase-I. Other projects include Chashma Right Bank Canal and the revised Kaitu Weir Irrigation and Power Project Component-I of Kurram Tangi Multipurpose Dam.

The planned interventions will replace old irrigation infrastructure and develop a 1.59-million-acre command area. The government also aims to increase water-use efficiency from the 40% baseline to 70% by 2029.

For Karachi, the programme includes the 260 MGD Phase-I of the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme K-IV. It also covers improvements to the Kalri Baghar Feeder and Keenjhar Lake.

The planned works include plain cement concrete lining of Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Phase-I. The K-IV project will supply an additional 260 million gallons of water per day to Karachi. This will raise the city’s overall water supply from 650 MGD to 910 MGD.

Real-time monitoring planned for Indus Basin

The government also plans to install a telemetry system at 27 sites across the Indus Basin. State-of-the-art equipment will provide real-time flow measurements at key locations and barrages.

The programme also includes a data centre and client workstations for key stakeholders. The system will provide round-the-clock information on river flows, gate openings and water levels.

Expected outcomes include expanding the culturable command area to 20 million acres and reducing conveyance losses. The programme also aims to reclaim land affected by waterlogging and salinity and increase crop production.

Flood measures to protect 15.76m people

Flood resilience forms another major component of the water-sector programme. The Integrated Flood Risk Management Plan covers implementation of the National Flood Protection Plan and the updated Flood Protection Sector Project-III.

It also includes a JICA-supported project to enhance flood management in the Indus Basin. In addition, the programme covers restoration of flood damage to the Kachhi Canal up to 323.47 kilometres.

The government plans 166 flood-protection schemes, 457 telemetry stations and five regional forecasting centres. The programme also covers watershed management, research, institutional strengthening and capacity building.

According to the document, these measures will provide flood protection to around 15.76 million people. They will also protect 2.276 million houses and 8.05 million acres of agricultural land.

Other assets identified for protection include 76 schools, 331 kilometres of metalled roads and 64 villages. The programme also covers 223 tube wells, 80 miles of irrigation canals and 12 basic health units.

In addition, the document lists 3,825 farm families among the beneficiaries and envisages reclamation of 121 acres of land.

Under the broader water-security goal, the government seeks to increase the water sector’s share in PSDP allocations. The document shows a baseline share of 10.52%, a 2029 target of 18% and a broader goal of increasing the sector’s allocation share by 20% by 2030.

Karak, Lakki Marwat oil output rises 16%, gas production 20% in 2025-26

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 9 (ABC): Oil production from fields in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak and Lakki Marwat districts increased by about 16% in 2025-26, while gas output rose nearly 20%, driven largely by a sharp surge in production from the Makori Deep field.

According to year-wise production data available with Wealth Pakistan, five fields produced a combined 6.73 million barrels of oil during 2025-26. This compares with 5.78 million barrels in 2024-25, representing an increase of about 16.4%.

Gas production from the five fields rose by about 19.7% to 72,126.32 million cubic feet (MMcf). A year earlier, the fields had produced 60,265.44 MMcf. Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and MOL operate the fields covered by the data in Karak and Lakki Marwat.

Nashpa remains largest oil producer

OGDCL’s Nashpa field in Karak remained the largest oil producer among the five fields. It produced 3.73 million barrels in 2025-26, up from 3.41 million barrels a year earlier. However, production remained below the 3.95 million barrels recorded in 2023-24.

MOL’s Makori East field in Karak ranked second, producing 1.99 million barrels during 2025-26. The field produced 2.04 million barrels in 2024-25 and 2.75 million barrels in 2023-24.

Makori Deep recorded the most significant increase. Oil production at the MOL-operated Karak field surged to 0.77 million barrels from just 0.01 million barrels in 2024-25. Its output stood at 0.08 million barrels in 2023-24.

In Lakki Marwat, OGDCL’s Bettani field produced 0.23 million barrels in 2025-26. This was down from 0.30 million barrels a year earlier and 0.34 million barrels in 2023-24.

Meanwhile, MOL’s Manzalai field in Karak produced 0.01 million barrels during the year. Its production stood at 0.03 million barrels in 2024-25 and 0.04 million barrels in 2023-24.

Makori Deep leads surge in gas output

Gas production showed a similar trend, with Nashpa retaining its position as the largest producer. Its output increased to 33,152.48 MMcf in 2025-26 from 27,121.58 MMcf in the preceding year.

Makori East remained the second-largest gas producer, with output of 25,175.41 MMcf. This was marginally higher than 25,130.91 MMcf in 2024-25 but below the 28,647.26 MMcf recorded in 2023-24.

Makori Deep posted the sharpest increase in gas production. Output surged to 8,695.09 MMcf in 2025-26 from only 115.09 MMcf a year earlier. The field had produced 912.74 MMcf in 2023-24.

In contrast, Bettani’s gas production declined to 3,305.05 MMcf from 4,367.47 MMcf in 2024-25. Manzalai also recorded a decline, with production falling to 1,798.29 MMcf from 3,530.40 MMcf.

Output remains below 2023-24 level

Despite the strong year-on-year recovery, combined production remained below the levels recorded two years earlier. The five fields produced 7.16 million barrels of oil and 74,852.08 MMcf of gas in 2023-24.

The data shows that Makori Deep and Nashpa drove much of the recovery in 2025-26. Makori Deep recorded a sharp increase in both oil and gas production, while Nashpa also posted higher output.

At the same time, production from Bettani and Manzalai continued to decline. Makori East remained broadly stable in gas production but recorded a slight decline in oil output.

PESCO to install 65,000 smart meters under $108m upgrade project

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 9 (ABC): The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) plans to install 65,000 smart meters under a $108 million project aimed at improving the efficiency of its electricity distribution system.

According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, PESCO will install the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters under its Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project (EDEIP). The foreign-funded project also includes major upgrades to the distribution network in Peshawar and Khyber circles.

PESCO has allocated Rs1.82 billion under the revised PC-I for installing 65,000 AMI meters in the 5-20kW category. The component carries a dollar cost of $6.5 million.

Distribution network to get major upgrade

Another major component involves the installation of aerial bundled cable (ABC) on 60 feeders across Peshawar and Khyber circles. The planned network will cover a total length of 1,298 kilometres.

The revised cost of the ABC component stands at Rs3.415 billion. This includes Rs683.043 million in local costs and Rs2.732 billion in foreign costs.

The project also allocates Rs2.67 billion for technical assistance and equipment. This component covers metering and testing equipment, transformer workshops, testing and protection systems, personal protective equipment, IT and vehicles.

Training, implementation support included

PESCO has allocated another Rs126 million for training and capacity building. Project implementation support will receive Rs560 million.

Overall, the EDEIP carries a revised cost of Rs30.256 billion, equivalent to $108.056 million. The total comprises Rs8.988 billion in local costs and Rs21.268 billion in foreign costs.

The project estimates also cover financing costs, price and physical contingencies, and project overheads for PESCO support.

The installation of 65,000 AMI meters, 1,298 kilometres of aerial bundled cable and supporting equipment forms part of PESCO’s broader effort to modernise its distribution infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.

Ministry asked to expedite operationalisation of Working Women Endowment Fund

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 8 (ABC): The government has asked the Ministry of Housing and Works to expedite the Working Women Endowment Fund. The Rs2 billion fund will help working women meet accommodation costs in Islamabad.

According to a document available with Wealth Pakistan, the Special Committee of Parliament on Gender Mainstreaming has reviewed progress on the initiative. The fund will reimburse part of the rent paid by working women who come from different parts of the country and hire accommodation in Islamabad.

The government has also asked the ministry to ensure the disbursement of a Rs500 million non-lapsable grant. National philanthropic organisations, NGOs, community-based organisations and public-sector bodies will channel the grant.

The Ministry of Housing and Works is leading the relevant prime ministerial directives under the Gender Women Empowerment Package 2024. The ministries of Finance, Planning and Human Rights are also supporting the initiative.

Day-care facilities for working women

Alongside housing assistance, the government is pursuing plans to improve childcare support for working women. These measures aim to make workplaces more supportive and women-friendly.

The government has proposed a national-level Day Care Fund to support working women. The Ministry of Human Rights is leading the initiative. The ministries of Finance and Planning and the National Commission on the Status of Women are providing support.

The government is also pursuing a project to establish day-care centres in Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Departmental Development Working Party approved the project on April 7, 2025, at an original cost of Rs700 million. Authorities later revised the cost to Rs804.743 million for the PSDP 2026-27.

The government has included the project as a main component of an umbrella PC-I titled “Human Rights & Women Development Initiatives.” The umbrella PC-I has now reached the pre-Central Development Working Party stage.

Flagship facility at Pakistan Secretariat

The document further shows that the Cabinet Division has facilitated day-care facilities in public-sector entities. The initiative aims to provide childcare support to working women at their workplaces.

The Cabinet Division has also established a flagship day-care centre at the Pakistan Secretariat. The facility will serve as a model for childcare services in public-sector workplaces.

The prime minister has directed all public-sector entities to establish day-care centres. The Cabinet Division is leading the implementation of this directive. The Establishment Division and Ministry of Human Rights are assisting it.

Together, these measures aim to address two major challenges for working women: accommodation and childcare. The government plans to provide support through the endowment fund, financial assistance and expanded day-care facilities.

Uraan Pakistan initiatives train 160,000 youth, enrol 114,300 out-of-school children

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 8 (ABC): Uraan Pakistan-linked initiatives have trained around 160,000 youth and enrolled about 114,300 out-of-school children, reflecting progress in the government’s efforts to expand education and skills development.

According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, around 160,000 youth have received training under different programmes of the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme. The programme supports the government’s priority of promoting technical and vocational education and training.

Progress has also been made in bringing out-of-school children into the education system. Under the Enrolment, Retention and Progression of Out-of-School Children initiative, about 114,300 children have been enrolled in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

The government is also expanding the Daanish Schools network to ICT and lagging districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Sindh. The academic session at the Daanish School in ICT has already started, with 180 boys and 180 girls enrolled.

Meanwhile, work is underway to improve educational infrastructure in the federal capital. Authorities are renovating 152 educational institutions and adding 411 classrooms to existing schools under a programme to provide basic and missing facilities.

Two new colleges are also being added in ICT under the Federal Directorate of Education.

Early childhood education is another area receiving attention. So far, 100 Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres have been established in existing educational institutions, enrolling around 5,500 children.

Teacher training initiatives are also being strengthened through the National Institute of Excellence in Teacher’s Education. A Continuous Professional Development (CPD) centre has been established with 55 coaches, 12 RMs, one programme manager and support staff.

In addition, the initiative has registered 95% of primary and secondary schoolteachers on a digital platform. A three-level induction and in-service certification programme, verified by AKU, has also been developed. A training development studio has been established to further support professional development.

Technology is also becoming part of classroom teaching through the Rumi app. The documents describe it as an all-in-one solution designed according to teachers’ needs and class sizes. It provides real-time classroom observation and feedback in six languages.

A Digital Hub-Connected Classroom YouTube channel has also been established to support digital learning. In addition, state-of-the-art Google labs, computer labs and science labs are planned under the Daanish Schools initiative.

The education initiatives also include a Centre of Excellence for Autism Children at H-8/4, Islamabad. The government is developing the facility to provide specialised support for children with autism.

Overall, the Uraan Pakistan-linked initiatives cover several areas of human capital development, ranging from youth skills and school enrolment to teacher training, educational infrastructure and technology-enabled learning.

Seven GB roads spanning 464km identified for federalisation

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 7 (ABC): The government has identified seven roads spanning a combined 464 kilometres across Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) for federalisation under the prime minister’s tourism initiative, with the proposed plan covering their construction, widening, rehabilitation and long-term maintenance.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the identified routes connect several important destinations across the region, including Astore, Deosai, Skardu, Khaplu, Shigar and Naltar.

The roads include the 54-kilometre Astore–Chilim Chowki Road, 31-kilometre Deosai–Skardu Road, 100-kilometre Skardu–Khaplu Road, 17-kilometre Skardu (Thorgu)–Shigar Road and 36-kilometre KKH-Naltar to Satrangi Lake Road.

The remaining two routes are the 121-kilometre Thalichi–Astore–Rattu–Shounter Road and the 105-kilometre Gorikot–Shagarthang–Skardu Road. Both roads are currently under construction.

Together, the seven identified roads have a total length of 464 kilometres, forming a sizeable road network linking different parts of the mountainous region.

According to the documents, the Gilgit-Baltistan Cabinet has already approved the proposal, while a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been shared with the National Highway Authority (NHA).

The proposed federalisation would bring the construction, widening, rehabilitation and long-term maintenance of the identified roads under the federal initiative.

The move is aimed at strengthening road connectivity to key tourism destinations across Gilgit-Baltistan, where difficult terrain and long travel distances make reliable transport infrastructure particularly important for tourism and local mobility.

By improving links among major valleys and tourist destinations, the proposed road programme is expected to support easier movement of visitors and strengthen access to remote areas of the region.

SSGC plans gas supply to 261 villages in five Sindh districts by 2029

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 7 (ABC): The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) plans to extend gas supply to 261 villages and towns located within a five-kilometre radius of gas-producing fields across five districts of Sindh by FY2028-29.

According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the implementation plan covers the fifth to eighth phases of the initiative from FY2025-26 to FY2028-29. The schemes are linked to different gas-producing fields across the province.

Together, the four phases envisage laying 684.91 kilometres of gas pipelines to provide connections to 8,914 prospective customers. The combined project cost stands at Rs5.726 billion.

Fifth phase covers 88 villages

The fifth phase, covering FY2025-26, includes schemes linked to the Kousar, Tangri and Gambat South gas fields in Matiari, Tando Mohammed Khan and Sanghar districts.

Under this phase, SSGC plans to extend gas supply to 88 villages through a 179.4-kilometre pipeline network. The schemes will cover 2,303 prospective customers and carry a total project cost of Rs1.450 billion.

SSGC received Rs1.326 billion during FY2025-26 against the third-year/phase schemes for supplying gas to 88 villages located within a five-kilometre radius of gas-producing fields. Detailed engineering surveys have been completed, while preparation of the schemes is underway.

Another 46 villages targeted in FY27

The sixth phase, planned for FY2026-27, covers areas around the Bobi and Hassan fields in Sanghar and Shikarpur districts.

SSGC plans to provide gas to 46 villages through 178.52 kilometres of pipelines. The phase targets 2,710 prospective customers and has an estimated cost of Rs1.495 billion.

The seventh phase will follow in FY2027-28 and cover the Naimat Basal, Jakhoro, Wariyah and Bukhari fields in Sanghar and Tando Mohammed Khan districts.

This phase envisages extending gas supply to 67 villages through a 171.97-kilometre pipeline network. It will cover 2,281 prospective customers at a projected cost of Rs1.408 billion.

Final phase planned for FY2028-29

The eighth phase, scheduled for FY2028-29, covers the Sanghar East (Naimat ul Basal), Sujawal and Koonj fields in Sanghar, Sujawal and Shikarpur districts.

The Rs1.373 billion phase will extend gas supply to 60 villages and towns through 155.02 kilometres of pipelines. It covers 1,620 prospective customers.

Overall, the four phases target 261 villages and towns across Matiari, Tando Mohammed Khan, Sanghar, Shikarpur and Sujawal districts.

The planned 684.91-kilometre pipeline network will serve 8,914 prospective customers at a combined cost of Rs5.726 billion.

Of the total cost, SSGC’s share amounts to Rs481.356 million, while Rs5.245 billion falls under the government’s over-and-above cost criteria.

The government will therefore meet about 91.6% of the overall project cost, while SSGC will contribute the remaining 8.4%.

The phased programme aims to extend pipeline gas infrastructure to communities located close to gas-producing fields, with implementation scheduled to continue through FY2028-29.

Govt plans horticulture promotion drive under FoodAg 2027

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 3 (ABC): The government plans to promote and develop Pakistan’s horticulture sector through dedicated initiatives under FoodAg 2027 in collaboration with the governments of Balochistan and Punjab.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) plans provincial partnerships for FoodAg 2027. These partnerships will include dedicated events and initiatives focused on horticulture promotion and development.

The initiative forms part of a broader set of measures that TDAP is pursuing to strengthen trade facilitation and export promotion services across the country.

Trade facilitation expanded across Pakistan

TDAP has established help desks in 12 major chambers of commerce across Pakistan to facilitate businesses and exporters.

The authority has also established an office and help desk at the Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Hub. The facility aims to strengthen trade facilitation and export promotion services in South Balochistan.

TDAP is also expanding digital trade facilitation services. Key measures include the online issuance of Certificates of Origin (COO) and completion of Phase-I of the TDAP Trade Portal. The Preferential Trade Access Database (PTAD) is another part of the digitalisation drive.

E-commerce, IT startups also in focus

Other measures include the GLOBE Summit for e-commerce and PIXS for IT startup promotion. These initiatives aim to broaden support for businesses seeking opportunities in emerging export sectors.

The documents also show that TDAP is pursuing memoranda of understanding with EXIM Bank and Pakistan Single Window (PSW). The proposed cooperation will focus on building the capacity of exporters.

Under its provincial partnerships, TDAP will work with the governments of Balochistan and Punjab on FoodAg 2027. Dedicated events and initiatives will focus on promoting horticulture and supporting the sector’s development.

The planned measures combine provincial cooperation, digital services and exporter support as part of TDAP’s broader efforts to facilitate trade and strengthen Pakistan’s export promotion framework.