2022 — Present
PhD · Structural Geology & Geodynamics
University of Göttingen · Germany
- Research
- Spatio-Temporal Structural and Tectonic Evolution of the Kirthar Fold-and-Thrust Belt, Balochistan, Pakistan
Field interpretation · Western Pakistan
Structural geology · Tectonics · Geothermics
Mukhtiar Ghani
PhD 4D Geomodeling
Tracing the spatio-temporal evolution of fold-and-thrust belts along the western Indian Plate.
Structural geologyThermochronologyBasin ModelingNumerical Modeling
Complete portfolio
Explore the work behind the profile.
A detailed record of education, research, applied projects, field practice, international collaboration, and service to the geoscience community.
01
Education
Academic foundation
From reservoir architecture to mountain-belt evolution.
Each degree added a new scale of geological reasoning—from well logs and facies, through 3D reservoir models, to regional tectonics and the timing of deformation.
2014 — 2017
MS · Sedimentology & Petroleum Geology
National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar · Pakistan
- Research
- Three-dimensional stratigraphic facies and reservoir-properties modelling of Upper Permian strata, Upper Indus Basin
2009 — 2014
BS · Geology
Department of Geology, University of Peshawar · Pakistan
- Research
- Reservoir characterisation and sequence-stratigraphic interpretation of the eastern Potwar Basin using Turkwal Deep-01
Professional career
Research, public service, and exploration.
A career spanning government geoscience, petroleum exploration, university research, laboratories, mapping, and field leadership.
2020 — Present
Assistant Director
Geological Survey of PakistanCoordinates academic and international partnerships, bilateral and Joint Ministerial Commission matters, public-sector project preparation, institutional agreements, and the Museum of Earth Sciences portfolio.
2017 — 2020
Assistant Geophysicist
Geological Survey of PakistanServed as field officer, geophysical laboratory lead, technical-committee member, radiation-protection officer, and administrator for gravity, magnetic, and electrical surveys.
2016 — 2017
Trainee Geologist
Oil & Gas Development Company LimitedWorked on basin studies, cross-section construction and restoration, 3D modelling, well-site geology, log interpretation, and well-completion reporting.
View supporting record ↗2015 — 2016
Research Associate
National Centre of Excellence in GeologySupported the sedimentology laboratory and Journal of Himalayan Earth Sciences while researching Carboniferous–Permian stratigraphy and 3D reservoir analogues.
View supporting record ↗2015
Exploration Intern
Oil & Gas Development Company LimitedGained applied experience across petroleum exploration workflows and subsurface geological interpretation.
2013 — 2014
Dimension-Stone Intern
Pakistan Dimension Stone Centre · PCSIR Laboratories Complex PeshawarCompleted a three-month internship supporting the centre’s scientific and industrial work on Pakistan’s dimension-stone resources.
View supporting record ↗2013 — 2014
Mapping Analyst & Geotechnical Engineer
Poverty Eradication Society · PakistanContributed geological mapping and engineering-geology support to field-based development work.
02
Research
Western Indian Plate
Reading mountain belts through structure, temperature, and time.
My research combines field geology, structural restoration, thermochronology, basin analysis, and palaeogeographic reconstruction to connect surface deformation with subsurface and thermal history.
Fold-and-thrust belt evolution
Reconstructing structural styles, shortening, and deformation timing across the Kirthar and Sulaiman ranges and the Quetta syntaxis.
Low-temperature thermochronology
Using apatite and zircon thermochronometers to resolve burial, cooling, exhumation, and foreland-basin thermal histories.
Structural restoration
Building balanced cross-sections and 2D/3D models that integrate surface mapping, stratigraphic thickness, seismic data, and wells.
Basin and petroleum systems
Connecting tectonic subsidence, source-rock maturity, reservoir architecture, and palaeogeography across the Indus basins.
Sedimentology and reservoirs
Characterising facies, diagenesis, petrophysical properties, and sequence architecture from outcrop and subsurface data.
Applied geophysics
Interpreting gravity, magnetic, resistivity, induced-potential, and self-potential data for water and mineral exploration.
Current doctoral research
Spatio-Temporal Structural and Tectonic Evolution of the Kirthar Fold-and-Thrust Belt
A multi-scale reconstruction of deformation, burial, and exhumation across the foreland basin and thrust belt—linking outcrop observations to subsurface structure and thermal history.
- Region
- Kirthar · Sulaiman · Quetta syntaxis
- Methods
- Structural modelling · numerical modelling · balanced cross-sections · basin modelling/analysis · AFT/AHe/ZHe · Ar/Ar dating · GPlates
- Questions
- Shortening · exhumation · structural segmentation · plate-boundary evolution
03
Projects & consultancy
Selected applied work
Geology carried from the field into decisions.
A portfolio across tectonic research, petroleum exploration, national geoscience programmes, mineral and coal assessment, groundwater geophysics, and reservoir modelling.
EU-funded research · ERC01
MATRICs · Magmatic Triggering of Cenozoic Climate Changes
External Collaborator · University of Milano-Bicocca
Contributing external geological expertise to an ERC project reconstructing magmatic CO₂ emissions along the Neo-Tethyan convergent margin and testing their role in early Cenozoic climate change.
Official EU project recordNeo-Tethyan plate margin · 2025–2030Field geology · geochemistry · data–model integration
DFG-supported research02
STEP · Western Himalayan Orogen
Research collaboration
Investigating the spatio-temporal structural evolution of the western Himalayan orogen through integrated field, structural, and chronological constraints.
Official DFG project recordWestern Himalaya · PakistanStructure · thermochronology · tectonics
DFG-supported research03
LEAP · Landscape & Seismogenesis
Research collaboration
Linking structural evolution with Quaternary landscape development and deformation to evaluate segmentation and implications for seismogenesis.
Official DFG project recordWestern Himalaya · PakistanActive tectonics · landscape · segmentation
Petroleum consultancy04
Harnai Exploration Block
Mari Petroleum Company Limited
Field-based geological evaluation combining sedimentology, geological mapping, and structural studies to strengthen the block-scale exploration framework.
Balochistan · PakistanMapping · sedimentology · structure
Petroleum consultancy05
Marwat Exploration Block
Orient Petroleum Inc.
Integrated geological studies of an onshore exploration lease, focused on stratigraphic relationships, surface mapping, and structural interpretation.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa · PakistanField geology · stratigraphy · interpretation
GIS & remote sensing06
Mineral & Petroleum System Mapping
GSP · G-SAG collaboration
Lithological and petroleum-system mapping within a national geoscience and space-applications initiative, integrating field evidence with geospatial datasets.
PakistanGIS · remote sensing · geological mapping
Public-sector exploration07
Gold & Heavy-Mineral Evaluation
Geological Survey of Pakistan
Exploration and evaluation of gold and associated heavy minerals in Indus River sediments through geological reconnaissance, sampling, and target assessment.
Indus River · Attock & SwabiSampling · mineral evaluation · GIS
Mineral consultancy08
Industrial & Metallic Minerals
Public and independent engagements
Geological and geophysical assessment of soapstone, barite, iron, copper, chromite, and associated mineral targets across structurally complex belts.
Chitral · Shangla · Hazara · BalochistanReconnaissance · geophysics · target ranking
Coal consultancy09
Balochistan Coal Portfolio
Public and independent engagements
Field and stratigraphic evaluation of coal-bearing successions, including resource screening, seam relationships, and preliminary exploration interpretation.
Nohsham · Behlol · Khost · Margat · MarwarStratigraphy · mapping · resource screening
Reservoir research10
Upper Permian Reservoir Architecture
National Centre of Excellence in Geology
Three-dimensional modelling of facies and reservoir properties in the Amb Formation to resolve heterogeneity and the spatial distribution of reservoir quality.
Upper Indus Basin3D modelling · facies · petrophysics
Public-sector geophysics11
Groundwater Exploration & Modelling
Geological Survey of Pakistan
Electrical-resistivity surveys and subsurface lithological modelling for water exploration at Sheikhmanda and public and industrial sites around Quetta.
Quetta region · BalochistanResistivity · processing · subsurface models
HEC–NRPU collaboration
GSP collaboration in university-led national research.
GSP collaborator · From 1 August 2021
Mineral-Deposit Evaluation for Rare Metals in Photovoltaics
Mineral-deposit evaluation to assess the availability of rare metals for use in photovoltaic technologies.
Awarded to Dr Asghar Ali · Assistant Professor, University of PeshawarGSP collaborator · From 1 August 2021
Basin and Petroleum-System Modelling of Jurassic Strata
Basin and petroleum-system modelling of Jurassic strata in Pakistan’s Lower Indus Basin.
Awarded to Dr Sulaiman04
Publications
Selected bibliography
Research in print.
Peer-reviewed and accepted work spanning tectonics, stratigraphy, petroleum geoscience, reservoir characterisation, groundwater geophysics, palaeobiogeography, and geoheritage.
Assessing thermal maturation and source-rock potential of the Eocene (Ypresian) Nammal Formation, Potwar Basin, Pakistan
Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and palaeobiogeography of the Albian–Turonian succession from the Sulaiman Range, Pakistan
Three-dimensional stratigraphic and reservoir-properties modelling of the Upper Permian Amb Formation, Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan
Museum of Earth Sciences of the Geological Survey of Pakistan: a potential geotourism attraction
Geo-electrical sounding for subsurface lithological investigation and modelling for groundwater exploration in northern Quetta
Reservoir quality assessment of the Upper Permian Chhidru Formation, Salt and Surghar ranges, Pakistan
A novel approach to evaluate, highlight, and conserve geologically significant geoheritage sites from the Peshawar Basin
Reservoir characteristics, depositional setting, and T–R sequences of the Lockhart Limestone of Meyal Oil Field
05
Professional memberships
Scientific community
Connected across geology, geophysics, energy, and practice.
Memberships support international scientific exchange, professional development, and collaboration across academic, public-sector, and applied geoscience communities.
01↗02↗03↗04↗
2026 · Verified membership
IEEE Graduate Student Member
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers2026 · Verified membership
IEEE Young Professionals
IEEE Young Professionals2026 · Verified membership
IEEE Geoscience & Remote Sensing Society
IEEE GRSS2020 · Verified membership
Society of Petroleum Engineers
SPE InternationalGeological sciences
- Geological Society of London
- Geological Society of America
- European Geosciences Union
- Japan Geoscience Union
- German Mineralogical Society
- IUGS Commission for Geoscience Information
Earth & geophysical sciences
- American Geophysical Union
- Canadian Geophysical Union
- Pakistan Geophysical Network
- IEEE Geoscience & Remote Sensing Society
- International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
- Geological Remote Sensing Group
Petroleum & energy
- American Association of Petroleum Geologists
- Pakistan Association of Petroleum Geologists
- Society of Petroleum Engineers
- London Petrophysical Society
Professional practice
- American Institute of Professional Geologists
- Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists
- Australian Institute of Geoscientists
- German Professional Geologists Association
- Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada
06
International collaborations
Across borders and disciplines
Research grows through shared terrains and shared questions.
Institutional links connect doctoral research, government geoscience, university expertise, museum outreach, international seminars, and advanced technical training.
Germany · Pakistan
University of Göttingen × Geological Survey of Pakistan
Doctoral research connects structural geology, thermochronology, palaeogeographic reconstruction, and field campaigns along the western Indian Plate.
Peshawar · Pakistan
National Centre of Excellence in Geology · University of Peshawar
Long-running collaboration in sedimentology, reservoir modelling, Indus-basin research, training, publishing, and geoscience outreach.
Quetta · Pakistan
University of Balochistan
Regional collaboration in field geology, stratigraphy, tectonics, mineral and energy resources, and geoscience capacity building across Balochistan.
Islamabad · Pakistan
Pakistan Academy of Sciences
Scientific programming, publishing, and outreach connecting research on the Indus water system with Pakistan’s wider geoscience community.
Sydney · Australia
Macquarie University
International academic exchange spanning tectonics, geochronology, thermochronology, and the interpretation of long-term crustal evolution.
Perugia · Italy
University of Perugia
Research collaboration in structural geology and geothermics, integrating geological architecture with subsurface and thermal datasets.
Potsdam · Germany
University of Potsdam
Scientific exchange in active tectonics, quantitative structural analysis, remote sensing, and the interpretation of surface deformation.
Rennes · France
University of Rennes
International research exchange in geodynamics, structural geology, Earth observation, and the analysis of deformation across active regions.
China
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Scientific exchange on Asian tectonics, mountain-belt evolution, thermochronology, and the geodynamics of continental collision.
Regina · Canada
University of Regina
Academic collaboration in sedimentology, petroleum geoscience, reservoir characterisation, and the evolution of sedimentary basins.
Denver · United States
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Joint international programming for the Siwalik and Indus River webinar series, connecting researchers across tectonics, stratigraphy, palaeontology, and water systems.
Pasadena · United States
California Institute of Technology · Caltech
Scientific interaction around tectonics, geodynamics, thermochronology, and the processes that shape plate boundaries and mountain belts.
07
Field experience
Outcrop to regional system
Geology grounded in the field.
Extensive work across Pakistan’s fold belts, basins, and mineral provinces, complemented by international field transects through classic orogenic systems.
Western Pakistan fold belts
Kirthar · Sulaiman · Quetta syntaxis · Bolan · Harnai
Structural mapping, balanced sections, thermochronology sampling, stratigraphic logging, and petroleum-oriented field interpretation.
Indus foreland & reservoir analogues
Salt Range · Potwar · Kohat · Surghar · Peshawar Basin
Facies analysis, reservoir characterisation, sequence stratigraphy, source-rock sampling, palynology, and 3D analogue studies.
Mineral, coal & water terrains
Chitral · Shangla · Muslim Bagh · Khanozai · Chagai · Quetta
Reconnaissance mapping, mineral and coal evaluation, geophysical acquisition, groundwater surveys, drilling support, and core analysis.
International geological transects
Harz · Alps · Apennines · Appalachians · Rocky Mountains
Comparative field observation across sedimentary basins, collisional belts, thrust systems, and active tectonic landscapes.
Field & laboratory practice
- Structural and geological mapping
- Geochronology sampling
- Facies and source-rock analysis
- Well-site and core description
- Heavy-mineral separation and microscopy
- XRF and SEM analysis
- Gravity, magnetic, resistivity, IP and SP surveys
- Project preparation and field execution
08
Global outreach
Representation & service
Connecting people, institutions, and geological ideas.
Scientific leadership extends beyond research through international representation, student advocacy, public geoscience, webinar programming, editorial work, peer review, and professional training.
International representation
IUGS Country Young Reporter · Pakistan
Represents Pakistan’s emerging geoscience community in international geological initiatives and strengthens exchange across national and global networks.
Academic representation
PhD Student Representative · University of Göttingen
Contributes doctoral perspectives to academic dialogue and supports communication within the university’s research community.
International programming · 2022
Indus River Water System seminar series
Organiser and coordinator of a six-month programme hosted by GSP, NCEG, and the Denver Museum, later connected to the edited volume Indus Water System (2024).
International programming · 2021
Siwalik Webinar Series
Organiser and coordinator of a six-month virtual series on Siwalik stratigraphy, tectonics, palaeobioclimate, and the western Indian Plate boundary.
Publishing & professional service
Editor, reviewer & conference judge
Co-editor of two geoscience volumes, referee for seven journals, and judge for scientific conference contributions.
Professional training · 2019
Resource person · Geophysical equipment training
Served as a resource person for a two-week Metallurgical Corporation of China course for geoscientists of the Government of Balochistan’s Mineral Development Department.
Technical competition · 2020
First place · Oil & Gas Horizons XII technical case
Member of the first-place team in the technical case at Gubkin University’s International Youth Scientific and Practical Congress, organised with the SPE Student Chapter.
Governmental representation
Government coordination & international cooperation
Representing and coordinating Geological Survey of Pakistan engagements across government, partner countries, institutions, and academia.
- Coordination for Pakistan’s Joint Ministerial Commission
- Coordination for bilateral commissions with other countries
- Economic Cooperation Organization business involving GSP
- Oversight of MoUs and agreements with other organisations
- Coordination between GSP and academia
Edited volumes
Ideas extended from seminar to book.
Collaborative volumes connecting tectonics, stratigraphy, palaeobioclimate, water systems, and public geoscience across the western Indian Plate.
In publication · Geological Survey of Pakistan
Siwalik Stratigraphy
Tectonic and Paleobioclimatic Evolution of the Western Indian Plate Boundary
Co-editor
Published · 2024
The Indus Water System
National Centre of Excellence in Geology × Pakistan Academy of Sciences
Co-editor09
Training & certifications
Continuous development
A technical toolkit built across disciplines.
Focused training in structural modelling, active tectonics, remote sensing, InSAR, geospatial analysis, basin methods, laboratory practice, energy systems, research, and project delivery—supported by documented certificates and participation records.
01
Structural geology & tectonics
- 2026
- 2025
Construction and Balancing Cross Sections · University of Camerino
- 2024
Sedimentary Provenance School & WGSG Conference · University College London ↗
- 2024
San Andreas Fault Field Programme · Geological Society of America ↗
- 2023
2D/3D Structural Geological Modelling with Move · University of Göttingen
- 2023
Plate Kinematic Reconstructions and GPlates · Freie Universität Berlin ↗
- 2023
Dynamics and Sedimentary Systems in Collisional Zones · University of Pavia ↗
- 2023
02
Remote sensing & geospatial analysis
- 2025
- 2024
- 2024
IEEE-GRSS International School on SAR Polarimetry · University of Stirling ↗
- 2024
- 2024
InSAR Processing and Analysis (ISCE+) · EarthScope Consortium ↗
- 2021
Imagery in Action · Esri Academy
- 2021
Morphometric Analysis for Geohydrology and Active Tectonics · GeoVigyan
- 2020
GIS, Mapping and Spatial Analysis Specialisation · University of Toronto
03
Basin, energy & laboratory methods
- 2025
Research Summer School on Palaeogeography · University of Rennes ↗
- 2025
- 2025
- 2025
Core Analysis Workshop · MARUM Center, Bremen
- 2025
International Irpinia Summer School: Near-Fault Observatory Technologies · INGV/MEET ↗
- 2021
Shallow Bedrock Energy Utilisation · Geological Survey of Finland
- 2020
Introduction to Analytical Geochemistry · Geological Survey of Pakistan
- 2020
Oil & Gas Industry Operations and Markets · Duke University
- 2015
04
Mining economics & professional practice
05
Project, research & communication
- 2025
37th Himalaya–Karakoram–Tibet Workshop · University of Turin ↗
- 2025
Gordon Research Seminar and Conference on Geochronology · Maine, USA ↗
- 2024
- 2024
Data Analysis with MATLAB and Python · University of Potsdam ↗
- 2020
Project Management Principles and Practices · University of California, Irvine
- 2020
Research Planning, Funding, Writing, Publishing and Reviewing · Elsevier Researcher Academy
- 2020
Disaster Risk Management: Investing in DRR for Resilience · UTM Kuala Lumpur ↗
- 2020
Politics and Economics of International Energy · Sciences Po
- 2020
Global Energy and Climate Policy · University of London
- 2020
Cartography, Geospatial Analysis and Geo-App Development · Esri Academy
- —
One-year Diploma in Computer Science
10
Field & research journal
Geoscience in practice
Across outcrops, laboratories, and scientific communities.
A visual record of field interpretation, laboratory work, technical training, international exchange, and the collaborative life of geoscience.
A multidisciplinary cohort brought together by training, discussion, and scientific exchange.
International field learning and community at Mont Saint-Michel.
Presenting the stratigraphic architecture of the western Indian Plate to an international audience.
Pakistan delegation at the 37th Himalaya–Karakoram–Tibet Workshop.
The international HKT workshop community gathered in Turin, Italy.
Extending workshop conversations through international scientific exchange in Turin.
With Professor Mike Searle during the Himalaya–Karakoram–Tibet workshop.
Presenting fold-belt stratigraphic architecture at Geo4Göttingen 2025.
International academic engagement in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Field excursion at the San Andreas Fault—observing an active plate boundary in the landscape.
International geoscience exchange at AGH University of Kraków.
Microscopy and mineral-scale observation during laboratory analysis.
Describing, documenting, and interpreting sediment cores.
Microscopic examination and documentation of foraminiferal material.
Reading lithology, structure, and deformation directly from a bedrock exposure.
Tightly folded strata recording deformation within an active fold-and-thrust belt.
Conversations across disciplines during an international scientific meeting.
Core-analysis training at MARUM, University of Bremen.
Inside the core repository—where stratigraphic records are preserved for research.
International technical training and research exchange at the University of Stirling.
Certificate presentation following specialised technical training.
Hands-on field instrumentation for high-precision ground monitoring.
Preparing high-precision GNSS equipment for field acquisition.
Collaborative instrument training—from setup to reliable observation.
Winter fieldwork in demanding mountain terrain.
Night-time drilling operations and continuous field supervision.
Drilling operations in the fold-belt terrain of western Pakistan.
Field leadership and coordination with a multidisciplinary drilling-site team.
Electrical-resistivity acquisition for subsurface geological investigation.
Coal-field inspection and technical engagement in a working exploration area.
The informal conversations that turn a technical course into a scientific network.
Building lasting collaborations beyond the formal programme.
Strengthening the national geoscience community through professional exchange.
Recognition at the AAPG–PAPG Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition.
A visit to Griffith Observatory during international scientific travel.
International scientific travel and exchange in London.