220 KV Grid Station inaugurated in Lahore

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Federal Education Minister, Shafqat Mahmood, inaugurated the 220KV Grid station in Ghazi Road Lahore that will help bring improvement in transmission and reliability in the system. 

The National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) has successfully commissioned the grid station completed with a cost of RS 5664 24 million. The major portion of the cost has been provided by a German firm. 

The project has strengthened the NTDC Transmission network along with reduction in load on 220/132 KV transformers. With the commissioning of the new grid station the voltage profile and system reliability will improve in different areas of Lahore.

Pompeo hopeful of more Arab states establishing ties with Israel

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The US Secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, arrived in Israel on August 24 and expressed the hope that more Arab states would establish ties with the country, a Middle East newspaper reported. 

"I'm very hopeful that we will see other Arab nations join in this," he observed in Jerusalem, standing next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The deal with the Emirates, brokered by US President Donald Trump is a boon to peace and regional stability. I think it heralds a new era where we could have other nations join. I hope we'll have good news in the future, maybe in the near future," Netanyahu remarked. 

Pompeo spoke of the opportunity awaiting future partners to work alongside to recognize the state of Israel. 

The US Secretary of state is on the first leg of his Middle East visit to press the momentum of the Trump administration’s Arab-Israeli peace push.

Deepening Pak-China business ties Pakistan’s foremost priority: Imran Khan

By Masood Sattar Khan 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan accorded great importance to strengthening its relations with China as both countries had shared destiny. The strengthening of business-to-business ties of the two people was the foremost priority, Prime Minister Imran Khan informed a Chinese delegation on August 25. 

He was talking to a delegation of 10 leading Chinese companies, undertaking business ventures in vital sectors including energy, communications, agriculture, science and technology, financial sector and industry which called on him in Islamabad. 

The delegation comprised of representative of Power Construction Corporation of China (Power China), China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), China Gezhouba (Group) Pakistan, China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Company Ltd, China Railway Group Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Machinery Engineering Corporation and China Mobile Pakistan Limited. 

The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, and Javed Afridi, CEO Haier, were also present on the occasion alongwith Minister for Communications, Murad Saeed, Minister for Industries Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Finance Advisor Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Commerce Advisor Abdur Razaq Dawood, Chairman Board of Investment, Atif R Bokhari, and Chairman CPEC Authority, Lt Gen (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa.

The Prime Minister assured the Chinese investors that the Pakistan government would accord highest priority for the provision of every possible facility to the Chinese investors. He also suggested to the Chinese business houses to establish their regional offices in Pakistan. 

The Chinese investors thanked the Prime Minister for his personal interest in facilitating Chinese investors and business community in Pakistan. They expressed satisfaction over the business-friendly policies of the present government, especially in improving ‘ease of doing business.’ 

They reaffirmed commitment to further expand their investments and explore more business opportunities in various sectors of the economy. 

“Various reforms introduced at policy and implementation levels have enhanced confidence of the Chinese business community and Pakistan is being looked upon as a major partner in development in the post COVID-19 environment,” the Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing stated.

Railways inspection of Karachi division concludes

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The two-day annual inspection by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Federal Government Inspector of Railways (FGIR) for the Karachi division concluded on August 25. 

The FGIR Special team comprised of FGIR Asif Mateen Zaidi, Chief Engineer (Open Line), Shahrukh Afshar, Divisional Superintendent Karachi, Arshad Salam Khattak, Chief Commercial Manager, Rubina Nasir, besides representatives of different branches from the Railways headquarters at Lahore and divisional officers from the Karachi division. 

The annual CEO & FGIR inspection is the highest level inspection of railway infrastructure, especially its track, followed by annual DS Special, quarterly inspection by Divisional Engineer, monthly by Assistant Executive Engineer and weekly by Permanent Works Inspector and daily by mates. 

Almost 408 km of railways' track of Karachi division, 227 km from Karachi to Tando Adam on ML-I and 181 km from Kotri to Dadu on ML-II, along with different stations, manned and unmanned level crossings and bridges were thoroughly inspected.

The level between the rails was repeatedly examined during the CEO & FGIR inspection with special focus at curvatures, level crossings and bridges.

Preparedness of staff at level crossings was judged by inquiring them the troubleshooting of accidental and tricky scenarios. Cash prizes were also given to the staff possessing expertise and skills in coping with risky situations.

The paraphernalia available to the level crossing staff was checked and works stores en route were visited by the CEO & FGIR special team. The strength and durability of bridges were also gauged.

The CEO Pakistan Railways, Dost Ali Laghari, said that provision of safe journey to the passengers was the top priority of Pakistan Railways. He directed the officers for ensuring a fully safe and secure journey besides overcoming the loopholes in the system.

Waseem Asghar elected ACEP President

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Engr Muhammed Waseem Asghar of KASIB Associates was elected as the President of the Association of Consulting Engineers Pakistan (ACEP) in its Annual General Meeting held at the Osmani House in Karachi. 

The AGM also elected Engr Khalid Mirza of Engineering Consultants International as Vice President.

Engr Wasif Nazar Siddiqi of Asif Nazar (Pvt) Ltd and Engr Muhammed Shafiq of MS Engineering Associates were elected as Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer of the ACEP respectively. 

A five-member Executive Council of the ACEP comprising Engr Asim Inam Osmani, Engr Rehan ul Ambia, Engr Kamran Siddiqi, Engr Muhammed Zia-ul-Mustafa and Engr Fahad Hasan was also elected.