Rawalpindi, July 7, 2026: Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS AAUR) and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote climate smart agriculture, strengthen the peanut value chain and improve rural livelihoods.
The partnership signing ceremony was held at PMAS AAUR, where Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan attended as chief guest and PPAF Chief Executive Officer Mr. Nadir Gul Barech attended as guest of honour. They were welcomed by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar uz-Zaman, along with the registrar, deans, directors, faculty members and senior university officials.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan said the government is setting up Digital Youth Hubs across the country to provide modern training opportunities, improve employability, promote entrepreneurship and equip young people with advanced technological skills.
He also said that during his recent visit to China and leading Chinese agricultural universities, discussions were held on academic cooperation and research partnerships. He expressed hope that these engagements would lead to collaboration between Chinese agricultural universities and PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi in agricultural research, technology transfer, student exchange and innovation.
Mr. Nadir Gul Barech said the partnership marks an important step for agricultural and rural development in Pakistan. He said it will be carried out under the project titled Climate Resilient Peanut Value Chain Development for Rural Enterprise and Economic Graduation Project. According to him, the initiative will support climate resilient seed development, improve peanut production systems, enhance value addition, promote enterprise development, expand digital advisory services and improve market access for farmers through an integrated research to-market partnership model.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar uz-Zaman thanked the Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the CEO PPAF and other partners for their trust in strengthening Pakistan’s agricultural sector through research based cooperation. He also appreciated the government’s youth focused initiatives in education, digital skills, entrepreneurship, scholarships and career development.
He said PMAS AAUR has modern laboratories, research facilities, scientific equipment and qualified faculty capable of implementing large scale national development projects. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to delivering research solutions that support farming communities and national food security.
The ceremony ended with the formal signing of the MoU between PMAS AAUR and PPAF by authorized representatives of both institutions. Participants said they were confident the partnership would support sustainable agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, climate resilience and socio economic development in Pakistan.
