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  • Prime Minister to Inaugurate Young Engineers Fellowship Program on January 30

    Prime Minister to Inaugurate Young Engineers Fellowship Program on January 30

    PAKISTAN

    Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the Young Engineers Fellowship Program under the Prime Minister’s Youth Initiative on January 30 (Friday). The launching ceremony would be held at the Jinnah Convention Center, Islamabad.

    The event has been organized by The Institution of Engineers Pakistan (IEP). Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Engineer Professor Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, will attend the ceremony as the special guest, while IEP President Engineer Sohail Bashir, members of the Central Council, and senior engineers will be the hosts.

    The Young Engineers Fellowship Program is a one-year paid fellowship designed exclusively for graduate engineers, aiming to bridge the gap between engineering education and practical exposure to public sector development projects. Under the program, selected fellows will be placed on Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) funded projects across the country, based on project requirements and the fellows’ stated preferences.

    According to program details, the fellowship will provide hands-on learning, professional mentorship, and field exposure. Capacity building will be supported through free professional training programs offered by IEP. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000 during the fellowship period.

    The program is open to Pakistani nationals who are graduate engineers with 16 years of education, a minimum CGPA of 2.0, and valid Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) registration, which is mandatory. Applicants must be fresh engineering graduates, not older than 28 years, and unemployed at the time of application.

    The selection process will be fully digital and merit-based, with 60 percent weightage for academic performance and 40 percent for a structured interview, IEP leaders said.

    IEP officials stated that the initiative aims to enhance the employability of young engineers, strengthen their professional skills, and contribute to the effective implementation of national development projects by integrating fresh engineering talent into the public sector. – ER News Desk

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  • OGDCL Announces Oil and Gas Discovery at Baragzai X-01 Well in Kohat

    OGDCL Announces Oil and Gas Discovery at Baragzai X-01 Well in Kohat

    PAKISTAN – Energy

    Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has informed the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) that it has made an oil and gas discovery at its exploratory well Baragzai X-01 (Slant), located in District Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

    OGDCL is the operator of the Nashpa Exploration License with a 65 percent working interest. The joint venture partners include Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) with a 30 percent working interest and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) with a 5 percent carried interest.

    According to the disclosure, the discovery was made over the Samana Suk and Shinawari formations. During the Cased Hole Drill Stem Test (CHDST-03) conducted in these formations, the well flowed at a rate of 3,100 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 8.15 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas. The flow was achieved through a 32/64-inch choke at a wellhead flowing pressure (WHFP) of 3,010 pounds per square inch gauge (psig).

    The Baragzai X-01 (Slant) well was spudded on December 30, 2024, as an exploratory well under the Nashpa Exploration License. The well was drilled to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of multiple formations, including Lockhart, Hangu, Lumshiwal, Samana Suk, Shinawari, Datta and Kingriali.

    The well was successfully drilled to a total depth of 5,170 meters, reaching the Kingriali Formation. Based on wireline log evaluation, two earlier cased-hole drill stem tests were conducted in the Kingriali and Datta formations, both of which also resulted in oil and gas discoveries.

    OGDCL stated that the latest discovery is expected to contribute toward reducing the country’s energy supply–demand gap through the utilization of indigenous resources. The discovery will also add to the hydrocarbon reserves base of OGDCL, its joint venture partners, and Pakistan. – ER News Desk

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  • All Railway Stations to Be Made Smart Under RAIN Project

    All Railway Stations to Be Made Smart Under RAIN Project

    PAKISTAN – Railways

    Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, chaired a key meeting today on the Railway Advanced Infrastructure Network (RAIN) Project, which is the largest digitization initiative in the history of Pakistan Railways. During the session, the Directorate of IT delivered a detailed presentation that highlighted the project’s progress and implementation plans.

    The Minister was assured that Phase I of the RAIN Project will be completed by June 2026. According to the Directorate of IT, Phase I will be fully executed using Pakistan Railways’ own revenue, reflecting the organization’s financial self-reliance and operational sustainability.

    The RAIN Project is the most comprehensive digitization initiative in the history of Pakistan Railways, and Phase I has now been successfully executed. Key components of Phase I include: • Introduction of GPS tracking for all trains and locomotives.

    • Establishment of Safe and Smart Railway Stations at major stations, modeled after the successful Rawalpindi station, with plans to upgrade other key stations similarly.
    • Provision of high-speed internet at selected railway stations.
    • Establishment of Command & Control Centers at the Lahore Headquarters and all divisional offices.
    • Fiberization of 1,700 kilometers of the ML-1 railway network.
    • Enabling real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making.

    Minister Hanif Abbasi emphasized that the RAIN Project will significantly reduce train delays and accidents, enhance passenger services, and improve overall operational efficiency. The new command and control systems will ensure rapid and effective responses in emergency situations.

    The Minister reiterated that the RAIN Project represents a major step toward modernizing Pakistan Railways, making it a safe, efficient, and passenger-centric organization. – PID

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  • TAL Joint Venture Discovers Gas at Bilitang-1 Well in KP

    TAL Joint Venture Discovers Gas at Bilitang-1 Well in KP

    PAKISTAN – Energy

    Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has informed the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) that the TAL Joint Venture has made a gas discovery from the Lockhart Formation at its exploratory well Bilitang-1, located in district Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    The TAL JV comprises MOL Pakistan Oil & Gas Co. B.V. as operator with a 10% working interest, Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) each holding 30%, Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) 25%, and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) 5%.

    The well was spudded on August 10, 2025, and drilled to a target depth of 4,011 meters true vertical depth (TVD). Based on interpretation of Logging While Drilling (LWD) and wireline log data, the Lockhart Formation was successfully tested, flowing gas at a rate of 1.37 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) on a 32/64-inch choke, with a wellhead flowing pressure of 254 psi.

    According to the company, the discovery has de-risked further exploration prospects in the TAL Block and has opened up additional upside exploration opportunities in the area. – ER News Desk

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  • Pakistan Cables signs MoU with PEC for Graduate Engineer Trainee Placement Program

    Pakistan Cables signs MoU with PEC for Graduate Engineer Trainee Placement Program

    PAKISTAN – Industry-Academia Collaboration

    The company will intake 15 Graduate Engineer Trainees, to be shortlisted by the council from within Sindh

    Pakistan Cables Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) for the Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) Placement Program on 9th January 2026, at PC Hotel.

    GET is an initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice by placing fresh engineering graduates with industry partners for five months of structured training.

    As part of this program, Pakistan Cables will intake 15 Graduate Engineer Trainees, to be shortlisted by PEC from within Sindh in line with the Company’s operational requirements and location.

    This reflects the Company’s’ continued commitment to supporting STEAM education and youth empowerment in Pakistan.

    About Pakistan Cables Ltd.
    Founded in 1953, Pakistan Cables is the premier and most reputable wires and cables manufacturer in Pakistan. Being the first and oldest wires and cables manufacturer listed on the PSX since 1955, it has the largest geographical footprint in Pakistan, with presence in over 200 cities and towns. It is also a member company of the Amir S. Chinoy group. It is ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 certified, and various cables type tested by KEMA, Netherlands. The Company’s science-based emission reduction targets are validated and approved by SBTi. It is also a signatory of the UN Global Compact and net-zero commitment. To learn more about Pakistan Cables Ltd. – PR

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  • PEC, Energy China Sign Landmark Pact to Deploy Pakistani Engineers on Global Mega Projects

    PEC, Energy China Sign Landmark Pact to Deploy Pakistani Engineers on Global Mega Projects

    PAKISTAN-CHINA

    The Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and China Energy International Group Company Limited – Pakistan Branch (CEEC) have entered into a landmark strategic partnership aimed at integrating Pakistani engineers into some of the world’s largest infrastructure and energy projects.

    The high-impact Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the Energy China Office in Islamabad, marking a major milestone in international engineering cooperation and global workforce mobility.

    Under the agreement, PEC-registered Pakistani engineers will gain structured access to Energy China’s mega projects spanning power generation, renewable energy, hydropower, transmission networks, transport infrastructure, and investment ventures across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The initiative is expected to create direct overseas employment opportunities while enabling advanced skills transfer and global exposure for Pakistan’s engineering workforce.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Energy China Managing Director Mr. Wang Hui Hua highlighted CEEC’s extensive global footprint, with over 140,000 professionals operating in 147 countries. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to recruiting Pakistani engineers, collaborating with local contractors, and embedding corporate social responsibility within China’s investments in Pakistan.

    PEC Chairman Engr. Waseem Nazir described the MoU as a “paradigm shift” for Pakistan’s engineering sector. He announced the establishment of a dedicated China Desk at PEC to ensure sustained engagement, transparent placement mechanisms, and capacity-building collaboration with Chinese state-owned enterprises. He added that 2026 would be remembered as a turning point when Pakistani engineers transitioned from domestic opportunities to global engineering leadership.

    The agreement positions Pakistan as a strategic engineering talent hub for one of the world’s largest infrastructure developers, opening a new chapter of high-value, technology-driven, and globally integrated career pathways for Pakistani engineers. – ER News Desk

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  • Deadly Floods Kill Over 100 Across Southern Africa as More Heavy Rains Forecast

    Deadly Floods Kill Over 100 Across Southern Africa as More Heavy Rains Forecast

    PAKISTAN

    Torrential rains and widespread flooding across southern Africa have killed more than 100 people in South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, with authorities warning that further severe weather is expected in the coming days.

    In South Africa, at least 19 people have died in the northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga after weeks of heavy rainfall triggered flash floods, washed away roads and bridges, and damaged homes. Parts of the Kruger National Park were badly affected, forcing the evacuation of around 600 tourists and staff by helicopter from flooded camps. The park has been closed to visitors, though no deaths or injuries were reported there.

    Mozambique has borne the brunt of the disaster. The country’s disaster management agency said 103 people have died since late last year in an unusually intense rainy season. Causes of death include drowning, lightning strikes, collapsing infrastructure, and cholera outbreaks. Flooding in central and southern regions has affected more than 200,000 people, damaged thousands of homes, and forced tens of thousands to consider evacuation.

    In Zimbabwe, authorities reported 70 deaths and the destruction of more than 1,000 homes since the start of the year. Schools, roads, and bridges have also collapsed, worsening the humanitarian impact.

    Flooding has also hit Madagascar, Malawi, and Zambia. Madagascar reported at least 11 deaths since late November. The US Famine Early Warning System said flooding has been reported or is expected in at least seven southern African countries, possibly linked to the La Niña weather phenomenon.

    South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited flood-hit areas in Limpopo, where some districts received about 400 millimetres of rain in less than a week, leaving entire communities devastated.

    The World Food Programme warned that flooding has submerged more than 70,000 hectares of crops in Mozambique, worsening food insecurity in a region already vulnerable to climate-driven shocks. – ER Monitoring Desk

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  • Sky47 Launches Pakistan’s First Cloud and AI Infrastructure Platform Near Islamabad

    Sky47 Launches Pakistan’s First Cloud and AI Infrastructure Platform Near Islamabad

    PAKISTAN

    Sky47 Limited, a majority-owned subsidiary of Mari Energies Limited, has launched its first Cloud and AI infrastructure platform at the Silicon Valley of Capital Smart City near Islamabad, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s digital and technological evolution.

    The platform has been developed through Sky47’s wholly owned subsidiary, Mari Technologies Limited, and is designed to provide secure, scalable, and sovereign digital infrastructure within the country. It aims to enable enterprises, government institutions, and technology innovators to run mission-critical workloads locally, while adhering to global standards of performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

    According to the company, the Cloud and AI platform will support advanced computing needs, data security, and digital transformation initiatives across multiple sectors, reducing reliance on overseas data centers and strengthening national data sovereignty.

    The launch reflects a growing focus on building indigenous technology infrastructure to support Pakistan’s expanding digital economy. By offering world-class cloud and AI capabilities within Pakistan, Sky47’s initiative is expected to accelerate innovation, enhance public and private sector efficiency, and contribute to the country’s long-term technological resilience. – ER News Desk

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  • CDWP Clears Major Health Projects Under URAAN Pakistan, Recommends Rs 56.8bn Schemes to ECNEC

    CDWP Clears Major Health Projects Under URAAN Pakistan, Recommends Rs 56.8bn Schemes to ECNEC

    The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal, on Thursday approved and reviewed five major health sector projects aimed at strengthening public healthcare delivery under the URAAN Pakistan Social Sector Initiative.

    Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal attended the meeting to present and support the projects of his ministry.

    CDWP MEETING

    During the session, the CDWP approved three projects with a total cost of Rs 12.524 billion, while two large-scale projects amounting to Rs 56.823 billion were recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.

    Highlighting the government’s people-centric approach, Ahsan Iqbal said health remained a cornerstone of URAAN Pakistan, which prioritizes affordable healthcare, reduced out-of-pocket expenses and protection of vulnerable families from catastrophic medical costs.

    Among the key initiatives, the CDWP reviewed and recommended the revised Sehat Sahulat Program costing Rs 40.19 billion to ECNEC. The programme will be implemented on a universal basis in Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan to expand coverage of secondary and priority inpatient healthcare. The initiative aims to reduce catastrophic hospitalization expenses by up to 60 percent for low-income households.

    The forum also recommended the revised Establishment of Jinnah Hospital (Polyclinic-II) at G-11/3, Islamabad, costing Rs 15.95 billion, which includes expansion of bed capacity to 400, induction of modern IT systems, biomedical equipment, solar power solutions and other sustainability measures.

    In addition, the CDWP approved projects for strengthening disease surveillance, border health services and cardiology facilities at the Federal Government Polyclinic. The approvals reaffirm the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to quality medical services nationwide. –ER News Desk

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  • 5 Million Social Media Accounts of Australian Teenagers Deactivated as World-First Under-16 Ban Takes Effect

    5 Million Social Media Accounts of Australian Teenagers Deactivated as World-First Under-16 Ban Takes Effect

    PAKISTAN

    Social media companies have collectively deactivated nearly five million accounts belonging to Australian teenagers just a month after a world-first ban on under-16s took effect, the country’s internet regulator said, a sign the measure has had a swift and sweeping impact.

    The eSafety Commissioner said platforms had so far removed about 4.7 million accounts held by under-16s to comply with a law that went live on December 10. Some platforms had said they would start closing affected accounts in the weeks before the deadline.

    The figures represent the first government data on compliance and suggest platforms are taking significant steps to adhere to a law that could see them fined up to A$49.5 million ($33 million) for non-compliance, but does not hold children or their parents liable.

    The tally is far higher than estimates circulated before the law and equates to more than two accounts for every Australian aged 10 to 16, based on population data. Meta previously said it took down some 550,000 underage accounts from its Instagram, Facebook and Threads.

    The minimum age rule also applies to Google’s YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Elon Musk’s X, formerly Twitter. Reddit has said it is complying but is suing the government seeking to overturn the ban. The government says it will defend itself.

    “It is clear that eSafety’s regulatory guidance and engagement with platforms is already delivering significant outcomes,” Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said in a statement.

    Some underage accounts remain active and it was too early to declare full compliance, she added. All companies that were initially covered by the ban said they would comply.

    Inman Grant said effective age checks would take time to bed down but feedback from age-assurance providers – typically third-party software vendors hired by the platforms – indicated Australia’s rollout had been smooth, aided by public education ahead of the ban.

    Some smaller social media applications reported a surge of downloads in Australia in the run-up to the December rollout, and eSafety said it would monitor what it called migration trends. But it said the initial download spikes had not translated into sustained usage.

    A study with mental health experts will track the ban’s long-term impact for several years. – Courtesy Reuters

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