Introduction

The Geotechnical and Geo-environmental Engineering (GT&GE) Division has functioned as a core specialty division of NESPAK since the inception of the Company. It has progressively grown from a technical support group into a full project management division, and is presently manned by 163 NESPAK professionals and support staff across six specialty sections spanning engineering, geology and the earth sciences. The Division delivers the complete project cycle from site selection and investigation, through pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, planning, design and preparation of tender documents, to evaluation of bids, construction supervision, post-construction services and specialized diagnostic services. Its work is anchored in Pakistan's largest water resources and hydropower programmes including the Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam Projects and extends internationally to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman and Nigeria, where the Division has led dam safety evaluation, rehabilitation and geotechnical assignments for national governments and municipal authorities.

NESPAK has extensive experience in dam safety and international engineering services, with 574 dams hydrologically assessed under the Kingdom-wide Dam Safety Study for the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia. In addition, 40 hazardous dams and 60 other dams were inspected under the same programme, along with 240 flood protection sites. NESPAK has undertaken international engagements across six countries Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Oman, Nigeria, and Bangladesh supported by 163 professionals and support staff across six specialty sections. The current cumulative project record includes 270 jobs acquired, 249 completed, and 21 ongoing, with a total project cost of Rs. 6,240 billion and Rs. 20.8 billion in fees earned. These cumulative figures are subject to reconfirmation by Corporate Planning as of 30 June 2026, while the staff strength has been updated from 166 to 163 according to the August 2026 divisional return.

Specialty Sections

The Division is organised into six specialty sections covering engineering, geology and the earth sciences.

  • Dams and Proposal Section

    Geotechnical design of dams and appurtenant structures, dam safety and hazard assessment, periodic inspection, instrumentation and hydropower planning.

  • Foundation and Pavement Section

    Site investigation and laboratory testing, deep excavation support, ground improvement, pile and anchor design and testing, foundation and pavement design.

  • Geology, Material and Mining Section

    Engineering geological mapping, rock mechanics, construction material and petrographic studies, geohazard assessment, mines and minerals exploration.

  • Geophysics and Seismotectonic Studies Section

    Electrical resistivity and seismic surveys, MASW and downhole seismic testing, seismic hazard assessment and seismotectonic modelling.

  • Geomatics and GIS Section

    Drone and LiDAR mapping, 3D laser scanning, remote sensing and satellite image analysis, GIS web applications, land management and acquisition plans.

  • Environment, Resettlement and Social Development Section

    ESIA, SEA, IEE, ESMP and ESMF studies, resettlement and social safeguards, biodiversity, climate change, air and noise modelling, HSE management and carbon crediting.

Scope of Services

The Division delivers the complete project cycle from site selection and investigation, through pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, planning, design and preparation of tender documents, to evaluation of bids, construction supervision, post-construction services and specialized diagnostic services.

  • Overall Project Cycle

    • Project Management
    • Site Reconnaissance and Selection
    • Technical and Financial Proposals
    • Appraisals, Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility Studies
    • Preliminary and Detailed Design
    • Tender Documents and Specifications
    • Construction Supervision
    • Post-Construction Services
    • Specialized Services

  • Investigation, Foundation Design and Ground Improvement

    • Site Investigations and Laboratory Testing
    • Foundation and Pavement Design
    • Deep Excavation Support System Design
    • Ground Improvement
    • Liquefaction Mitigation
    • Landslide Stabilization
    • Pile Construction and Testing
    • Anchor Construction and Testing

  • Dams and Hydropower

    • Geotechnical Design of Dams and Appurtenant Structures
    • Planning and Geotechnical Design of Hydropower Projects
    • Dam Safety and Hazard Assessment
    • Periodic Inspection of Dams
    • Tunnels and Underground Excavations
    • Design of Flood Protection and Other Embankments
    • Slope Stabilization Measures
    • Instrumentation

  • Environmental, Resettlement and Social Development

    • Environmental Studies (EIA, ESIA, SEA, IEE, ESMP, ESMF)
    • Social and Resettlement Studies (RAP, LARP, SIA, RPF)
    • Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation
    • Climate Change Assessment
    • Biodiversity Studies (BAP, Aquatic Analysis)
    • Air Dispersion Modelling (AERMOD, CALRoads)
    • Noise Modelling (SoundPLAN Essential)
    • Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Conservation
    • HSE Management System, Audit and Trainings
    • Clean Development Mechanism and Carbon Crediting

  • Geological, Geohazard and Construction Material Studies

    • Engineering Geological Mapping
    • Assessment of Existing and Potential Geohazard
    • Assessment of River / Channel Morphology, Geologic Faults and Shear Zones
    • Determination and Suitability of Terrain with respect to the Project
    • Construction Material Studies
    • Petrographic Analysis
    • Rock Mechanics
    • Mines and Mineral Exploration Studies

  • Geomatics and GIS Studies

    • Drone and LiDAR Mapping
    • LiDAR and 3D Scanning
    • Remote Sensing and Satellite Image Analysis
    • Field Data Collection and Geo-Mapping
    • Environmental and Geological Mapping
    • Land Management and Acquisition Plans
    • GIS Web Applications
    • GIS Training and Support Systems
    • Aesthetic Mapping Solutions

  • Geophysics and Seismotectonic Studies

    • Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT)
    • Electrical Resistivity Survey
    • Seismic Refraction Tomography
    • Seismic Refraction Survey
    • Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW)
    • Downhole Seismic Survey
    • Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic Survey
    • Seismic Hazard Assessment (SHA)
    • Seismotectonic Modelling