Pakistani non-profit, IsDB, OIC’s COMSTECH team up for 400 free cataract surgeries in Chad

The banner of a Cataract Surgery Campaign jointly organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank and Pakistan’s Layton Rehmatullah Benevolent Trust, is photographed in N'Djamena, Chad, on May 26, 2023. (Photo courtesy: @OIC_COMSTECH/Twitter)
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Updated 29 May 2023
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Pakistani non-profit, IsDB, OIC’s COMSTECH team up for 400 free cataract surgeries in Chad

  • Over eight days, team of dedicated ophthalmologists from Pakistan organized and conducted a free eye camp
  • Pakistani doctors shared knowledge and skills with local doctors, trained them in latest cataract surgery techniques

ISLAMABAD: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and Pakistan’s Layton Rehmatullah Benevolent Trust, successfully completed 400 cataract surgeries in Chad, the least developed member state of the OIC, the committee said in a statement on Monday.

COMSTECH is one of four standing committees of the OIC dedicated to the promotion of science and technology activities among OIC member states. It was established by the OIC's Islamic Summit in Mecca in 1981. Layton Rahmatullah Benevolent Trust, or LRBT, is Pakistan's largest non-governmental organisation working to fight blindness.

“This initiative aimed at addressing the urgent eye care needs of the people of N'Djamena,” COMSTECH said about the Chad initiative. 

“Over the course of eight days, a team of dedicated ophthalmologists from Pakistan organized and conducted a free Eye Camp in severe weather conditions, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds of individuals.”

The camp aimed not only to provide much-needed eye surgeries but also to enhance local capacity through training and awareness campaigns.

“Pakistani ophthalmologists, renowned for their expertise in the field, shared their knowledge and skills with local doctors, training them in the latest cataract surgery techniques. In addition, post-operative examinations were conducted to ensure optimal patient recovery,” COMSTECH said.

“This successful Eye Cataract Surgery Camp is a testament to the power of international collaboration and collective efforts in making a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities.”

An important component of the initiative was launching an awareness campaign targeting the youth, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures against avoidable blindness.

“By engaging with the younger generation, COMSTECH aims to create a sustainable impact on eye health, fostering a culture of proactive eye care,” the statement said.

The free eye camp took place at a local hospital in N'Djamena, with the support of the Ministry of Health of Chad.

“The people of N'Djamena expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Pakistani doctors for their selfless dedication and their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others, even in challenging conditions,” COMSTECH said.


Chinese giant Hoymiles enters Pakistani market to provide high-tech energy storage solutions

Updated 05 January 2026
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Chinese giant Hoymiles enters Pakistani market to provide high-tech energy storage solutions

  • The development comes after Pakistan emerges as one of world’s fastest-growing solar markets, importing nearly 50GW of solar panels
  • Hoymiles entry will address long-hour backup and energy storage challenges facing Pakistan’s growing solar sector, local partner says

KARACHI: Renowned Chinese inverter manufacturer Hoymiles has entered Pakistan to provide high-tech, long-duration energy storage solutions for residential, commercial and industrial buildings by utilizing solar systems for electricity consumption, its Pakistani partner said on Monday.

Over the past few years, a large number of Pakistani industrial, commercial and residential electricity consumers have shifted to solar power systems to address frequent power outages and the rising cost of electricity. Reports indicate that net-metering capacity currently stands at 6,000 megawatts (MWs), while off-grid solar capacity has increased to 12,000 MWs in Pakistan by the end of 2025.

Hoymiles has formed strategic partnerships with Superstar, a renowned name in Pakistan’s automotive industry, and Harisun Energy, a new entrant in the energy solutions sector, to explore the Pakistani market, which is witnessing rapid growth in solar power adoption. In this regard, launch events were held simultaneously in Karachi and Lahore, unveiling multiple storage solutions produced by Hoymiles under the brands of Harisun Energy and Superstar.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Hoymiles launching ceremony in Karachi, Ali Rashid, advisor to Sindh chief minister on science and information technology (IT), said the provincial government appreciates foreign investors, particularly Chinese companies, establishing their industries, assembly, and distribution units in Karachi to meet the demand of the local market as well as export solutions to other countries.

“The government is working rigorously to facilitate foreign investors and companies to enhance their business and commercial activities, mainly in the technology and renewable energy sectors, to improve the living standards of the public and boost economic activity within the country and the province of Sindh,” he said.

The Sindh government is currently collaborating with various Chinese companies across different sectors, including logistics and renewable energy, and it welcomes further cooperation between the private and public sectors, according to Rashid.

The provincial government is considering establishing its own regulatory authority and transmission company, aimed at setting up a separate electricity grid system at the provincial level, which could provide affordable electricity to the masses and enhance connectivity to remote areas, preferably through renewable energy resources.

According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), Pakistan has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing solar markets, importing approximately 50 GW of solar panels amid falling prices and widespread adoption across sectors in the first half of the year. This surge has made Pakistan the third-largest market for Chinese solar panels, a growth that has attracted global attention.

Superstar Solar Energy and Harisun Energy are introducing Hoymiles’ innovative range of solar inverters, energy storage solutions, and smart energy management systems to the Pakistani market. These solutions are designed to deliver reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy, empowering individuals and businesses to harness solar power as a clean and green energy source.

“Pakistan’s growing solar sector is facing a major challenge related to long-hour backup and energy storage solutions, which will soon be addressed with the entry of a global leader in energy solutions,” said Haris Jamsheed, CEO of Harisun Energy.

“Our partnership with the Chinese company will provide innovative energy storage solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial solar systems, enabling uninterrupted electricity supply at workplaces, factories, and homes during nighttime hours.”

Solarization has continued to expand across the country on a large scale due to prolonged load-shedding in remote areas and the high cost of electricity, which has become unaffordable for many households and industrial units, particularly in recent years.

“We have vowed to bring an energy revolution to Pakistan through innovative storage solutions, as the industrial and commercial sectors can enhance productivity with low-cost electricity backup systems,” said Saleem Umar, Chairman of Superstar.

“Affordable electricity will reduce operational costs at the domestic level, enabling exporters to compete more effectively in global markets.”