Pakistan Flying Labs Aims to Bring Drones, Robotics, and Know-How to New Generation

More than 60 percent of Pakistan's population of 207 million is working age, with more youth preparing to graduate into the workforce every day. As job functions change with the evolution of emerging technologies, youth must have early access and exposure to necessary training.

Newly launched Pakistan Flying Labs formed around this very idea. The team's core focus is empowering youth with the knowledge, equipment, and tools they need to competitively engage in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields that will underpin their future livelihoods. 

Meet the Team

Pakistan Flying Labs Director Obaid ur Rehman is a Mechanical Engineer with vast experience in Industry ranging from Oil and Gas, Construction, Mining, and Energy Sectors of Pakistan. Obaid is an aviation enthusiast and has designed, built &flown his aerial models. His interest in Drones and Robotics grew when he started implementing its application in his field of work. Now, Obaid is also providing private consulting services to Fatima Technologies Pvt. Ltd and working on various initiatives to promote the use of Drone Technologies, mainly in the Agriculture and Industrial Sectors of Pakistan. His main objective is to promote the positive use of this novel technology. Obaid is committed to raising awareness about drones/robotics, especially among Pakistan's communities, to empower them to use these tools to better their lives.

Pakistan Flying Labs Coordinator Wajeeha Javed is passionate about the latest software technologies in robotics and machine learning and enjoys working in a competitive environment. She completed her bachelor's from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in information and communication system engineering and holds a diploma in cybersecurity from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA). Wajeeha is passionate about women's leadership in software technology in robotics and machine learning. As a Co-founder member of flying labs, She will bring software technologies expertise and programming background to the drone industry/community of Pakistan.

Pakistan Flying Labs Regional Coordinator Muhammad Afaq is a software engineer and a passionate drone pilot. As an aviation enthusiast, Afaq designs and develops his own airframes for different purposes and challenges. He has flown different drones for agricultural and conservation projects and infrastructure mapping. As a director of the Academy of Modern Studies High School Palosi in Peshawar Palosi ada, he aspires to bring drones to his community by teaching and training youth. Afaq is committed to promoting the power of 'we' in his local communities through disseminating information related to drones and robotics.

Pakistan Flying Labs is also using this opportunity to engage youth with the potential for using robotics technology, drones, and data for social good. For example, the Pakistan Flying Labs team recently performed a trial of an agricultural drone capable of performing various tasks, from spraying insecticide to surveying farmlands and assessing crop yields. In addition, the team intends to broaden its approach to new sectors, demonstrating to youth and young professionals how these tools might help them work more efficiently and effectively on a range of activities. Pakistan Flying Labs plans to organize training programs for grade-school and college students alike and support research projects and case study development to advance the field. Through these activities, more students and professionals will adopt what we now consider emerging technologies as everyday tools to benefit their communities and livelihoods.

Please join us in welcoming Pakistan Flying Labs to the Flying Labs Network!