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ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP): The government has announced to provide a financial package of up to Rs 1 million for each artificial intelligence (AI) project reaching the prototyping stage.

According to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoIT), official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the scheme will be carried out through the newly planned Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, which was tasked with bridging the gap between research and industrial applications, said a press release on Monday.

According to the documents, at least 400 AI projects in academia and the private sector would be funded annually, with priority for those addressing the socio-economic challenges and key sectors identified under the National AI Policy.

The support package will extend beyond fiscal assistance. Along with financial backing of up to Rs1 million, the selected projects will also receive mentorship, incubation opportunities, and regulatory guidance to ensure compliance with international standards.

The Centre will further serve as a platform for connecting the innovators with potential investors, increasing the prospects of turning prototypes into viable commercial products.

The policy also allocates up to Rs 200,000 for at least 200 research projects annually, particularly academic theses and research work in AI. The findings will be required to be published in recognized international journals and platforms, helping establish Pakistan’s presence in the global AI ecosystem.

To ensure transparency, a monitoring and evaluation framework will assess the outcomes of funded projects, measuring their commercial viability, societal impact, and contribution to the AI economy.

Zakir Syed, Director of Internet Governance at MoIT, said to Wealth Pakistan that the initiative represents a decisive step towards reducing reliance on imported technologies and promoting indigenous solutions.

He said by fostering applied research and nurturing talent in both academia and the private sector, the government hopes to establish Pakistan as a regional hub of AI-driven innovation by 2035.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): The Pakistan Railways has embarked on a large-scale programme to digitize and automate its network in a bid to enhance safety, cut down delays and bring efficiency to passenger and freight movement across the country.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, advanced communication and signalling systems are being deployed across key sections of the national railway network.

The upgradation includes installation of a computerized interlocking system at Landhi, Jummagoth, Badal Nala and Sarhad stations to replace manual controls, significantly improving train routing and accident-prevention capability.

In parallel, the Karachi–Lahore section telecom system is being overhauled with a digital microwave radio communication system, ensuring uninterrupted and secure data transmission for train operations.

A Push-to-Talk digital communication network is also being gradually rolled out in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sukkur and Karachi divisions to strengthen real-time coordination between field staff and control rooms.

A senior Pakistan Railways official told Wealth Pakistan that over 80 percent of the current signaling system relies on mechanical and relay-based technology, which is prone to theft, environmental damage, and operational failures. The new automation drive is expected to replace such equipment with intelligent, sensor-based systems capable of monitoring track conditions and ensuring compliance with safety protocols.

He said as part of broader automation reforms, Pakistan Railways is also digitizing its bridge safety inspections and upgrading vulnerable structures through sensor-based monitoring.

This, along with enhanced communication systems, is expected to bring greater transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency in Pakistan’s century-old railway network.

To complement these technological upgrades, Pakistan Railways has launched rehabilitation of multiple stretches, including Rohri–Khanpur, Tando Adam–Rohri, Kemari–Hyderabad and Khanewal–Shahdara via Shorkot, Faisalabad and Qila Sheikhupura. A new rail line is also under construction to link Thar Coal with the national network at New Chhor and Port Qasim, supported by digital monitoring tools to track freight movement.

Moreover, the railways plans to introduce 230 newly designed passenger coaches capable of running at 160 km/hr and 820 high-capacity freight wagons, equipped with modern brake and monitoring systems. These will be integrated into the digital network to allow real-time fleet tracking and predictive maintenance.

LAHORE: The city of Lahore is set to host one of the country’s most significant renewable energy gatherings, the 2nd International Solar Power Conclave & Solar Excellence Awards 2025, taking place on 28th August 2025 at the Nishat Hotel.

The event is being organised by Energy Update in association with the Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB), the Pakistan Solar Association (PSA), the Pakistan Alternative Energy Association (PAEA), and the Renewable Energy Association of Pakistan (REAP).

It aims to provide a high-level platform for policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and international technology providers to engage in meaningful dialogue on the future of solar power and its role in strengthening Pakistan’s energy security.

The keynote address will be delivered by Mr Shah Jehan Mirza, Managing Director of PPIB.

He will be joined by Mr Faizan Ali Shah, member of the Prime Minister’s Solarization Committee, and Mr Waqas Moosa, Chairman of the Pakistan Solar Association, who will discuss the government’s solarisation agenda and the importance of private sector partnership in advancing renewable energy initiatives.

The programme will also feature insights from leading international and domestic industry figures, including Mr Ali Zain Malhi, Channel Manager Nationwide Huawei Digital Power Pakistan, Faraz Muhammad Khan, Sales Strategy & Development Manager, Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. and Mr Dany Song, Director of the Product Centre at Risen Energy, alongside prominent national representatives such as Mr Waqas Khaleeq, Chief Executive of Smart Solar, Mr Hamza Sajid from Solis Inverters, Engineer Mian Fahad, Country Director of Growatt New Energy, Mr Zakir Ali, Chief Executive of Inverex Solar Energy, Mr Faaz Diwan, Director of Diwan International, and Mr Abu Zar Shad, President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Conclave will culminate with the Solar Excellence Awards 2025, which will honour individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of solar and renewable energy in Pakistan.

The organisers emphasised that the event is expected to serve as a pivotal knowledge-sharing and networking platform, reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to clean and sustainable power generation in line with both national priorities and global climate goals.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 21 (APP): Pakistan has achieved self-sufficiency in olive plant production, with the capacity to produce up to 3 million plants annually through local nurseries.

Pakistan would earlier import 700,000 to 800,000 olive plants each year but now it can fully meet demand through domestic resources, Principal Scientist at Centre of Excellence for Olive Research and Training (CEFORT)Chakwal Dr. Muhammad Ramzan Anser told to Wealth Pakistan.

He said CEFORT have developed protocols, facilitated private nurseries, and transferred technology to the private sector to ensure a consistent supply of quality plants for growers.

“CEFORT has screened 86 olive varieties from different countries and selected 22 for commercial use” he added.

DR. Ramzan said Pakistan has successfully cultivated world-class varieties, including Greek Koroneiki, Italian Coratina and Frantoio, and Spanish Arbequina and Manzanilla.

Highlighting support for growers, Dr. Ramzan said that CEFORT will place agriculture graduates in various clusters to guide and train farmers, and is also working to develop the capacity of 100 master trainers in both public and private sectors in the Potohar region.

He said CEFORT has also standardized recipes for olive-based products such as pickles, jams, chutneys, and bakery items. currently, there are 20 commercial brands in Punjab and around 48 nationwide using our formulations.

Since 2017, about 40 cold press units for olive oil extraction have been installed across the country. He said given the rising scale of cultivation, we will require hundreds of such units in the coming years.

Dr. Ramzan underlined the potential of the Potohar region, where over 700,000 acres of barren and rocky land are well-suited for olives. Olives thrive in this type of land where no other commercial activity exists.

Reflecting on the sector’s development, he said Pakistan that trials began in 2008-09 across Punjab’s districts and ecological zones, and by 2015 farmers were provided with tested varieties and technical support.

“CEFORT remains the first olive centre in Pakistan offering full value-chain R&D support” he remarked.

It is worth mentioning here that under a newly launched initiative, the Punjab government plans to bring 3,625 acres of land under olive plantation. Applications have been invited from eligible growers to apply for the three-year subsidy-backed programme by November 15.

He told Wealth Pakistan this is the first project of its kind in Pakistan whereby all wings of the agriculture department will be facilitating farmers in an integrated manner.

In the first year, olive trees will be planted on 1,000 acres, with farmers receiving a subsidy of Rs57,960 per acre. A total of 583,625 olive plants will be planted during the course of this project (2025-28), with each acre accommodating 161 plants.

Farmers owning a minimum of five acres of land can apply for the project, with preference given to clusters where olive cultivation already exists. However, the availability of drip irrigation is a mandatory requirement for farmers planning to establish olive orchards on five acres or more.

He said farmers will also be required to maintain the land for a minimum of 10 years, with the obligation to replace any dead plants at their own expense.