A local/UK joint venture is to produce diesel engines under licence from its UK partner, Cummings Engine Company. The engines will be used for vehicles, power generation and in the marine sector.

The local partners are the state-owned Pakistan Motor Company, with 17 per cent, and Trans Mobil (TML), with 15 per cent. Cummings will hold 18 per cent and will provide the technology. The remaining 50 per cent will be raised by public subscription.

The new company, to be known as Engine Systems (ESL), will produce a total of 1,000 four, six and eight-litre diesel engines in the first year. Production is to rise to 5,000 a year within five years. A large part of the new plant's production will be used by TML for the Yasoob trucks it manufactures for the army and the private sector.