OGDC Welcomes 52 Women Into Second Management Trainee Programme Batch

ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) –  Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) has welcomed the second batch of its all-female Management Trainee Officers (MTOs) Programme 2026-27, comprising 52 graduates from diverse academic backgrounds and institutions across Pakistan.

The initiative reflects OGDC’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), as well as its efforts to expand women’s participation in Pakistan’s energy sector.

A ceremony was held at the OGDC Training Institute (OGTI) to formally welcome the new management trainees.

Addressing the ceremony, OGDC Managing Director and CEO Ahmed Hayat Lak welcomed the trainees and said the programme was designed to make greater female representation a sustainable part of the organisation.

“We want more women in our company to make our work environment more diverse and inclusive,” he said.

Lak said the trainees would contribute to OGDC’s growth while developing the expertise needed to support Pakistan’s energy security. He said the company was targeting a doubling of its production over the next three years.

He added that OGDC would continue optimising output from its mature assets while contributing to efforts aimed at import substitution.

The 52-week programme includes classroom instruction, on-the-job training, field visits, departmental placements and mentorship. It is designed to give participants a broad understanding of OGDC’s operations, the oil and gas value chain, and the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.

OGDC Executive Director (HR) Shahzad Safdar said the second programme had been developed by incorporating lessons learned from the first batch.

“This is a different and more comprehensive training programme. We wanted to develop a programme that would fully prepare MTOs for their professional careers,” he said.

Safdar said the company had adopted a deliberate approach towards increasing female representation and had taken the decision to establish a dedicated all-female management training programme.

OGDC inducted its first-ever all-female batch of 36 MTOs in July 2025. Members of that batch also attended the ceremony and shared their experiences, highlighting the opportunities they received to gain practical exposure to the oil and gas industry.

The new batch will undergo structured technical and professional development throughout the year, with support from OGDC’s technical and soft-skills teams.

The programme aims to equip young women with industry knowledge, professional skills and practical experience to help them build careers in Pakistan’s energy sector.

OGDC said it remains committed to equal opportunities, inclusive growth and developing a diverse workforce capable of supporting the company’s long-term objectives and contributing to Pakistan’s energy security.