Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advances Technical Education with Institute of Petroleum Technology

Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Agriculture Minister, Major Retired Sajjad Barkwal, emphasized the provincial government’s commitment to enhancing vocational and technical education in less developed districts, aiming to boost employment opportunities for local residents.

According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minister Barkwal outlined this strategy during a meeting focused on the progress of the Institute of Petroleum Technology in Kirk, a project initiated in the 2017-18 fiscal year under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has allocated 250 kanals of land for this institute, which is currently operating temporarily and has launched a three-year diploma in drilling technology for 80 students, primarily from the southern districts and other provinces, including a majority from Kirk district.

The discussion highlighted the slow pace of the project’s financial backing, with only 5 or 6 percent of the necessary funds released to date. Minister Barkwal expressed concerns over the delays and emphasized the importance of accelerating the project by securing full funding. He announced plans for a special meeting to approve the revised PC One, ensuring the project’s completion and the expansion of its offerings to include additional diploma courses in petroleum, electrical, instrumentation, and technical fields.