TDAP & REMIT host post-WEXNET 2025 mentorship event

Lahore: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), in collaboration with Revenue Mobilization, Investment, and Trade (REMIT), successfully hosted an exclusive post-WEXNET mentorship event at a local hotel, here on Thursday.

The event brought together the top 25 exhibitors from WEXNET 2025 alongside key industry leaders, aiming to equip women entrepreneurs with essential insights and strategies to expand their businesses globally.

Under the theme "WEXNET Growth Journey: From Exhibitor to Entrepreneurial Leader," the event provided a dynamic platform for mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and networking. It featured a high-impact panel discussion titled "From Local to Global: Strategies for Scaling Women-Owned Businesses to International Markets," where distinguished experts shared valuable insights. The event also included an interactive Q and A session, offering attendees practical, business-specific guidance.

In his opening remarks, Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh, Team Lead at REMIT, applauded TDAP and REMIT's collaborative efforts in fostering trade and investment opportunities for women entrepreneurs. He emphasized the importance of structured mentorship in driving sustainable business growth and enhancing export readiness.

Following this, Sheryar Taj, Secretary of TDAP, addressed the gathering, highlighting TDAP's broader vision of export diversification and its commitment to empowering women-led businesses through capacity-building, digital trade integration, and access to global markets.

Building on this vision, Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, Chief Executive of TDAP, delivered the keynote address, stressing the significance of sustained mentorship beyond exhibitions and reaffirming TDAP's dedication to helping women entrepreneurs scale their ventures.

The presence of esteemed industry leaders and expert panelists, including Ms. Nilofer Shahid (Meeras Haute Couture), Ms. Masarrat Misbah (Masarrat Makeup and Depilex), Ms. Batool Mohsin (Rina's Kitchenette), Ms. Huma Adnan (FnK Asia), and Ms. Gulalai Khan (REMIT), added immense value to the discussions, providing attendees with firsthand knowledge and actionable strategies.

The event concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony recognizing the top WEXNET 2025 exhibitors for their outstanding contributions. Participants also engaged in a networking luncheon, further strengthening industry connections and fostering collaboration opportunities.

With Pakistan's growing footprint in global trade, this post-WEXNET mentorship event reaffirmed TDAP's commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs, enhancing export potential, and fostering a more inclusive and dynamic business landscape.

NESPAK embarks on Attock placer gold project

Lahore: The Mines and Minerals Department Punjab and NESPAK have joined hands for the Attock Placer Gold Project, marking a significant milestone in country's mining sector.

It was stated by Zargham Eshaq Khan, Managing Director NESPAK, here on Thursday.

The undertaking of the Attock Placer Gold Deposits Project by NESPAK is a significant development in the mineral sector. In this regards, NESPAK has signed a contract for 'Consultancy Services for Preparing Bidding Documents and Transaction Advisory Services for Nine Placer Gold Blocks along River Indus in District Attock.'

Pakistan is endowed with abundant mineral resources, including construction materials, industrial minerals, and precious metals, which hold immense potential for driving the country's economic growth. Properly addressing the challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in this sector can position Pakistan as a key player in the global mining industry.

NESPAK has long been a cornerstone of Pakistan's development, offering engineering services across various sectors. With a strong focus on social responsibility and an international presence, NESPAK has cemented its reputation as a premier engineering consulting firm. Recognizing the significance of the mining sector, NESPAK has undertaken notable projects such as:

a. Construction Material Sources and Mineral Development Potential in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

b. Delineation of Positive and Negative Mining Areas for Cement Plants in the Salt Range (Punjab Mines and Minerals Department)

c. Lead-Zinc-Barite Exploration Project in Khuzdar, Balochistan in collaboration with Bollan Mining Enterprises (BME) and the Government of Balochistan.

These projects have positioned NESPAK as a trusted partner in harnessing Pakistan's mineral wealth.

FoodAg Manufacturing expo continues for 2nd day

Lahore: The second day of the FoodAg Manufacturing 2025 exhibition here Thursday continued to shine as a landmark event for the agriculture, food processing, and manufacturing industries.

The day was marked by vibrant B2B networking sessions, high profile meetings and the showcasing of cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions. International and national exhibitors engaged in meaningful collaborations, while the PHDEC Pavilion highlighted Pakistan's agricultural potential.

The exhibition brought together over 152 exhibitors, including 37 international participants from China, Japan, Italy, Turkiye, South Korea, and other countries, alongside 44 national exhibitors and 24 packaging companies. The exhibition was divided into six key sectors: Agritech Solutions, Agro-Livestock Processing Machinery, Packaging Machinery, Food Storage and Supply Chain, Ingredients

High-profile meetings of Faiz Ahmad, Chief Executive TDAP and Sheryar Taj, Secretary TDAP in collaboration with representatives from the Governments of Punjab, KPK, and Balochistan, centered on enhancing investment and bilateral trade in critical agricultural and food sectors. The discussions highlighted trade opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, seeds, meat, fruits, value-added fruits, and vegetables with key markets such as China, Japan, Korea, Italy, Turkey, and the USA. A major focus was on the relocation of industries from China under the CPEC framework, with plans for follow-up meetings through Pakistan's trade missions in the china and other strategic markets. Additionally, the potential for agro-processing machinery collaboration with South Korea, Japan, and Italy was explored in depth, emphasizing technological partnerships and investment opportunities to boost the sector's growth.

During the event, TDAP played a pivotal role in facilitating over 347 B2B meetings between buyers and exhibitors, leading to numerous business deals and partnerships. Four MoUs were signed, marking significant collaborations across diverse sectors. These included Badot (specializing in potato-based cosmetics), Bio Mark Pharmaceuticals, World Trading (focused on R and D for amino acid fertilizers and high-quality potato and garlic seeds), Wireless Seeds, STS Robotech (innovating in fried chicken production and robotics), and Dawon Solution (advancing livestock waste management technologies). These agreements underscore the exhibition's success in fostering innovation, cross-border partnerships, and sustainable growth in the food and agriculture industries.

Moreover, Mr. Daifullah AlFawaz, Director of Agro and Food at the Ministry of Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led a series of high-level meetings with key stakeholders to explore investment and trade opportunities in Pakistan's agro-food sector. Engaging with government bodies and industry leaders, Mr. AlFawaz met with the Minister for Agriculture Punjab, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and the Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) to discuss collaborations in agritech, halal certification, and food exports. He also held discussions with leading companies focusing on expanding exports of Pakistani rice, meat, fruit concentrates, and sustainable packaging solutions to Saudi Arabia. He toured the exhibition halls, exploring the diverse offerings from provincial stalls representing Balochistan, KPK, Punjab, and Sindh. He also visited major processing facilities. The visit underscored the growing economic ties between the two nations and laid the groundwork for future investments and trade ex pansion in the agro-food sector.

FoodAg Manufacturing 2025 is a premier exhibition dedicated to showcasing the latest innovations, technologies, and solutions in the agriculture, food processing, and manufacturing sectors. Additionally, factory visits were organized for international delegations, including a Chinese company and a Korean company, further strengthening cross-border collaborations. The event proved to be a transformative event, driving innovation, collaboration, and growth in the food and agriculture industry. The exhibition set a new benchmark for future events, with its diverse range of exhibitors, cutting-edge technologies, and successful B2B engagements.

NESPAK embarks on Attock placer gold project

Lahore: The Mines and Minerals Department Punjab and NESPAK have joined hands for the Attock Placer Gold Project, marking a significant milestone in country's mining sector.

It was stated by Zargham Eshaq Khan, Managing Director NESPAK, here on Thursday.

The undertaking of the Attock Placer Gold Deposits Project by NESPAK is a significant development in the mineral sector. In this regards, NESPAK has signed a contract for 'Consultancy Services for Preparing Bidding Documents and Transaction Advisory Services for Nine Placer Gold Blocks along River Indus in District Attock.'

Pakistan is endowed with abundant mineral resources, including construction materials, industrial minerals, and precious metals, which hold immense potential for driving the country's economic growth. Properly addressing the challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in this sector can position Pakistan as a key player in the global mining industry.

NESPAK has long been a cornerstone of Pakistan's development, offering engineering services across various sectors. With a strong focus on social responsibility and an international presence, NESPAK has cemented its reputation as a premier engineering consulting firm. Recognizing the significance of the mining sector, NESPAK has undertaken notable projects such as:

a. Construction Material Sources and Mineral Development Potential in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

b. Delineation of Positive and Negative Mining Areas for Cement Plants in the Salt Range (Punjab Mines and Minerals Department)

c. Lead-Zinc-Barite Exploration Project in Khuzdar, Balochistan in collaboration with Bollan Mining Enterprises (BME) and the Government of Balochistan.

These projects have positioned NESPAK as a trusted partner in harnessing Pakistan's mineral wealth.

Foreign surgeons perform cardiac surgeries on 7 children: minister

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique disclosed on Thursday that foreign cardiac surgeons had successfully performed heart surgeries on seven children, under the chief minister's child heart surgery program.

According to the Health Department, the minister visited to the Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology (FIC) on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and met British doctors, who traveled to Pakistan to perform cardiac surgeries on children.

UK-based doctors Dr. Sandeep, Dr. Umar Aziz, and Dr. Imran Saeed have so far completed surgeries on seven children at FIC. Expressing gratitude to the visiting team, Khawaja Salman Rafique lauded their efforts in saving young lives. He also met with the recovering children and their parents, assuring them of continued support.

The minister further announced an ambitious plan to increase the number of pediatric heart hole surgeries in Punjab from 3,000 to 6,000 within the next year. He emphasized that the number of cardiac specialists at FIC has already been increased and will continue to grow. Additionally, he stated that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is personally overseeing the progress of children's cardiac surgeries, ensuring their timely execution.

Highlighting other healthcare initiatives, the minister informed that 150 successful bone marrow transplants have been conducted at Lahore Children's Hospital. He reiterated that there will be no compromise on children's health and that all necessary resources will be provided to ensure free and quality treatment for every child.

Khawaja Salman Rafique also revealed upcoming healthcare projects, including plans for kidney transplants and cochlear implants. He assured that the capacity of public sector hospitals, including Allied Hospital, is being expanded, with vacant positions for doctors set to be filled in the coming year. He also announced the procurement of new MRI machines and reaffirmed the government's commitment to clearing the backlog of children awaiting heart surgeries by bringing in foreign experts to train local doctors.

Dr. Sanjay Vishani, part of the visiting medical team, confirmed that this was their first visit and that Dr. Imran, Dr. Umar, and Dr. Ayesha had accompanied him. He assured that these doctors would return every three months, significantly reducing the waiting list for pediatric cardiac surgeries.

The event was attended by Chairman Chief Minister's Task Force Dr. Farqad Alamgir, Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood, Commissioner Faisalabad Division Maryam Khan, Deputy Commissioner Faisalabad Nadeem Nasir, FIC administration officials, and representatives from the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce.

NESPAK embarks on Attock placer gold project

Lahore: The Mines and Minerals Department Punjab and NESPAK have joined hands for the Attock Placer Gold Project, marking a significant milestone in country's mining sector.

It was stated by Zargham Eshaq Khan, Managing Director NESPAK, here on Thursday.

The undertaking of the Attock Placer Gold Deposits Project by NESPAK is a significant development in the mineral sector. In this regards, NESPAK has signed a contract for 'Consultancy Services for Preparing Bidding Documents and Transaction Advisory Services for Nine Placer Gold Blocks along River Indus in District Attock.'

Pakistan is endowed with abundant mineral resources, including construction materials, industrial minerals, and precious metals, which hold immense potential for driving the country's economic growth. Properly addressing the challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in this sector can position Pakistan as a key player in the global mining industry.

NESPAK has long been a cornerstone of Pakistan's development, offering engineering services across various sectors. With a strong focus on social responsibility and an international presence, NESPAK has cemented its reputation as a premier engineering consulting firm. Recognizing the significance of the mining sector, NESPAK has undertaken notable projects such as:

a. Construction Material Sources and Mineral Development Potential in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

b. Delineation of Positive and Negative Mining Areas for Cement Plants in the Salt Range (Punjab Mines and Minerals Department)

c. Lead-Zinc-Barite Exploration Project in Khuzdar, Balochistan in collaboration with Bollan Mining Enterprises (BME) and the Government of Balochistan.

These projects have positioned NESPAK as a trusted partner in harnessing Pakistan's mineral wealth.