Service structure for engineers soon: Chairman PEC

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chairman, Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Syed Abdul Qadir Shah, has assured the engineers to receive good news about their service structure with time scale promotions very soon.

Addressing a big gathering of engineers from across Pakistan at a dinner hosted by the PEC at Hotel Beach Luxury on October, he recalled PEC’s suggestion in this regard was agreed to by the then Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, and now it has to go through lengthy bureaucratic process for implementation and the Council was on it.

He pointed out that there are about 20,000 engineers in federal/provincial departments and autonomous bodies but they did not possess any service structure nor were given automatic time scale promotions.

Referring to PEC’s achievements, Qadir Shah informed the audience that the Council has been awarded provisional membership of Washington Accord, Engineering Mobility Forum (EMF) and is also collaborators of Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and Singapore (IES), Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), Jaban Accreditation Board of Engineering Education (JA BEE) and other such prestigious Forums.

He disclosed that, in recognition of its efforts, the mega event of 5^th World Engineering Congress (KIEC) will be held in Islamabad in March 2013 with an expected participation of over 500 eminent engineers and scientists from all over the world.

Pointing out that over the years there has been a communication gap between the PEC and the engineering community of the country he assured that the present Governing Body can dispel this impression through concerted actions.

“We will try that the actions and initiatives taken by the PEC are shared regularly and effectively with the engineer’s community while a system was also in place to get their feedback,” he stated.

He said one of the reason for the pitiful conditions of engineers’ community in Pakistan was lack of opportunities and to overcome this shortcoming, the PEC has decided to promote culture of  socialization and at least one social gathering will take place in each major city in a year.

Khurshid Shah asks engineers to make Pakistan a true nuclear power

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah, has called upon the engineers to use their vision and expertise for further development of Pakistan to bring it at par with the developed nations of the world and for this purpose the government’s political support will be available to them.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a dinner hosted by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) at Hotel Beach Luxury, Karachi, on October 5. Over a thousand engineers belonging to various disciplines from all over the country attended the dinner along with PEC’s Vice Chairmen from Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa.

The Federal Minister credited the engineers and scientists for having made Pakistan a nuclear power.

“People are the fountain head of real power but the engineers are the real backbone of the country”, Khurshid Shah remarked while making a special mention of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan for his contribution in transforming Pakistan into a nuclear state.

“Our engineers have the vision and the capability to take the country to another level. We will continue to march forward if they utilize their energies in a more productive manner,” he emphasized.

He pointed out that currently Pakistan was facing many pressing issues with the energy being on top of the list.

“If our engineers can construct Chashma Nuclear and Taunsa Barrage projects with better planning, they can surmount this issue as well. I am confident that the engineering community can lead the turnaround,” Khurshid Shah believed.

He said that Pakistan cannot afford to spend 60 billion rupees every month just to import furnace oil for producing 6-7 thousand MW of electricity.

He recalled that the country started establishing furnace oil based power units in 1978 only because of its being the cheapest fuel at that time, without planning for the future prospects and the result was that as against a 60 paisa per unit production cost at that time, electricity was being generated today at Rs 21 per unit.

The Federal Minister observed that if the country does not buy furnace oil, it plunges into darkness and of makes such a massive spending, the national kitty goes empty.

He advised the engineers to work on wind, solar and other modes of power generation with emphasis on effective utilization of Thar Coal which is bound to bring a revolution in the country’s economy as the government has decided to have all power generation projects in future to be  coal based.

“It would cost Rs 200 billion if coal is imported to produce 20,000 MW of electricity but if indigenous coal is used and power generation costs Rs 8 per unit, this tariff will remain the same even after 10 yeas. The present government’s strategy is to use our own coal reserves which are one of the largest in the world and this would provide such a big boost to our economy that by 2015, the dollar can come to the Rs 60 level,” he thought.

Stressing upon the engineers to work on solar energy, he pointed out that if the foreign engineers can manufacture cheaper solar panels then why not ours could do the same by mobilizing their talents and energies.

“If there is a will, there is a way. We have to build the future of Pakistan with your vision and our political will. Together we will make a stronger and more resourceful Pakistan,” he hoped.

Khurshid Shah said that despite various ups and downs and the heavy odds being faced by the present government, it was meeting the challenge with all patience and tolerance as it believes that the country cannot sustain conflicts between institutions.

“Instead of indulging in conflicts, the country should have gone towards a direction where Pakistan would have been a power nation and it believes that instead of political in fight, the country should move towards socio-economic programmes with emphasis on health and education,” he stated.

He paid tributes to President Asif Ali Zardari who, he said, did not maintain his “qibla” on one direction but if he went to US and UK, he also went to China and Russia and is the first leader to promote economic ties with India.

He reckoned that the government could be criticized unjustly but the fact is that revenue collection during its rule jumped from Rs 900 billion to Rs 1900 billion and it is the first government to return 1.2 billion dollars against the loan obtained from World Bank.

Similarly, he said, the foreign remittances increased from 5.2 billion to 13 billion dollars because of their efforts which resulted in the increase of work force abroad from 2.5 lacs to 4 lacs.

The Federal Minister said that despite the resource constrains, the present government spent billions on Swat migration, 2010 floods and 2011 rains having distributed the amount to the people in a transparent way.

SSUET participates in the video conference

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

( Pakistan News & Features Services)

Various universities and institutions of Pakistan participated in an international workshop, organized by the Research Center for Training & Development (RCTD), Lahore , through a video link.

From Karachi , the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) participated in the international research workshop on ‘Mastering Qualitative Research Methodology and Analyzing Qualitative Data using advanced Research Computer Software and Applications’ through the video conferencing link.

In this regard the SSUET’s Network Team provided complete technical assistance for the two-day workshop which was attended by its 40 faculty members who presented case studies on qualitative research in Engineering Sciences.

The international workshop was conducted by a renowned professor from Cambridge University , UK , and it registered participation from different universities and research institutions linked together by HD Video.

They discussed the integration of qualitative methods in addressing research questions/objectives, the theoretical foundations and their practical applications.

The workshop helped the researchers to efficiently design their path to produce high quality thesis and papers. Case-study based methodology was adopted by the researchers and resource persons with various cases and examples from their own disciplines.

The workshop methodology included lectures, presentations, case studies, use of software and robust training techniques.

At the SSUET, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Jawaid H Rizvi was the Chief Organizer of the workshop, while Dr Naila Rozi and Abdul Moid Khan worked as workshop coordinators.

Quaid-e-Millat Day observed at Sir Syed University

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Glowing tributes were paid to Pakistan’s first Prime Minister Quaid-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan at a seminar held under the auspices of Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology on the occasion of his 117^th Birth Anniversary on October 3.

The speakers on the occasion shed light on the life of the great Liaquat Ali Khan and recounted his achievements during Pakistan Movement and after the creation of Pakistan.

Addressing the seminar as chief guest, Engr Adil Usman, Vice-President, Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), observed that today we are living in an independent state with complete respect and dignity and which came into being as a result of historic struggle waged by leaders like Nawab Liaquat Ali Khan under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

“He fully supported the Quaid in his long and arduous journey which finally stood rewarded on August 14, 1947 when Pakstan appeared on the world map as a homeland for the Muslims of South Asia.

In his speech, Saeed Ahmed Siddiqi, a senior Aligarian now in his 90s, described Liaquat Ali Khan as a courageous leader and said that despite immense odds he refused to devalue Pakistan’s currency and presented three surplus budgets in a row.

Another speaker, Mehfooz-un-Nabi Khan, reckoned that the youth can bring about a revolutionary change in the society with commitment to the principles laid down by Liaquat Ali Khan and the ideology he pursued.

Other speakers on the occasion included Umar Khan, Sana Haider and Nazeer Channa while renowned poet Khumar Farooqui presented poetic homage to the legendary leader.

Karachi Chamber, SSUET reiterate close coordination

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has reiterated its close coordination with the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, for research and development in the industrial field.

An assurance in this regard came from the newly elected KCCI President, Mohammed Haroon Agar, in a meeting with the SSIET Registrar, Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed, who called on him at KCCI Head Office on October 2.

Haroon Agar said that the Chamber was already coordinating with the SSUET and working in close proximity with the University to promote research and development (R&D) for the benefit of the industrial sector.

He said that he along with the members of the Managing Committee will soon visit the SSUET to further strengthen the already existing working relationship between the two institutions.

On the occasion Registrar Shah Mahmood informed that upon the advice of KCCI's proposal the SSUET carried out a survey of industrial sector to determine the various industries keeping their immediate requirement.

He pointed out that the SSUET was producing over a hundred projects, mostly relating to industrial sector and if put to application, these could provide beneficial for the industrial sector. In this regard the role of KCCI will prove highly beneficial.

The newly elected Senior Vice-President, Shamim A. Firpo, and Member Managing Committee, Asif Bega, were also present in the meeting.

Asif Bega stressed the need for innovative projects for textile sector believing that the University can help this sector in a big way.

The KICCI President described the SSUET as a valuable asset in the field of engineering and he along with his Managing Committee looked forward to visiting the University in order to discuss further proposals for enhanced coordination.

AMUOBA elects office-bearers for 2012-15

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), the premier organization of the Alumni of the famous Aligarh Muslim University, held its elections for a term of next three years on September 30.

Engr Z A Nizami, the AMUOBA’s President in office, had already returned unopposed as no other candidate had submitted nomination paper for this coveted post.

Mohammad Salman Saleh and Masood Alam were also elected unopposed as Treasurer and Joint Secretary of the Association along with Dr Jaffar Nazir Usmani (Joint Secretary Sports), Ali Zafar Khan Afridi (Joint Secretary Publicity) and Shajar Ali Hashmi (Joint Secretary Academic).

According to the results, Adil Usman, Cdre (R) Salim A. Siddiqui and Mohammad Yousuf Siddiqui were elected as Vice Presidents while Mukhtar Ahmed Naqvi was elected as new General Secretary, a post which was previously held by Late Zakir Ali Khan for a long time.

 The Aliagrhians also elected the 18-member Executive Committee for which 23 candidates were in the field.

Addressing the General Body on the occasion, Engr Z.A. Nizami, who is also the Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, by virtue of him being the President of AMUOBA, remarked that he felt  privileged and humbled to fellow members for re-electing him unopposed  for yet another term to serve the Association.

“I will continue to support the vision of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan through advocacy and communication with our stakeholders,” he declared.

He informed the audience that the SSUET, the first engineering university to be established by AMUOBA in the private sector, today  has  collaboration with 11 renowned universities of  the US and UK.

In recognition of its high standard of education, the university has been awarded the highest W4 category by Higher Education Commission and 5-star category by the Charter Evaluation Inspection Team.

On the occasion, the General Secretary-elect, Mukhtar Naqvi, presented the AMUOBA’s annual report, highlighting its activities and performance during the last three years.

The newly elected office bearers of AMUOBA assured that they will discharge their duties to the entire satisfaction of the organization and its members and work relentlessly to achieve the objectives of the Association and the goals set for the next three years.

Z A Nizami re-elected as AMUOBA President

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Engr Z A Nizami, a renowned educationist, was re-elected as the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA). He was once again elected unopposed as President of this august body of Aligarhians for yet another three-year term.

Engr Nizami has continued to be the President of the AMUOBA after Khawaja Waheed and Z H Lari headed the body in the 1960s.

The AMUOBA will be having its fresh elections on September 29 upon the completion of the three-year term of the present office-bearers.

The candidates for the posts of Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Joint Secretary, Honorary Joint Secretaries (Sports, Publicity and Academic) have already returned unopposed with Masood Alam, Dr Jaffar Nazir Usmani, Ali  Zafar Khan Afridi and Shajar Ali Hashmi, respectively having been elected to these posts without any opposition.

The contest on September 29 will be for the offices of Vice-Presidents for which five candidates are in the field and Honorary General Secretary with two candidates as the contestants.

For the election of 18-member Executive Committee, now there are 23 candidates left in the contest after withdrawal of intending nominees on September 26.

Engr Z.A. Nizami is the Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, since its establishment in 1993 by virtue of his being the President of the AMUOBA.

The SSUET was the first engineering university to be established in the private sector and starting with a few hundred students initially in four engineering disciplines then, it today has about 5500 students in six engineering disciplines of Computer Engineering, Electronics, Civil, Telecommunication, Bio-Medical besides Computer Science.

Besides the SSUET, the AMUOBA is also running Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) which has about a thousand students on roll.

8th Karachi International Book Fair 2012 to be held from December 6 to 10

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Pakistan News & Features Services) The Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association (PPBA), with the collaboration of the National Book Foundation (NBF), will be once again organizing the country’s largest book trade event, the Karachi International Book Fair 2012, from December 6 to 10 at the Karachi Expo Centre with Event and Conference International (Pvt.) Ltd being the event managers. The annual KIBF has continued to provide an exclusive opportunity to reach out to citizens and bookworms in Pakistan’s largest city and the trade hub of the country besides facilitating the international publishers to interact with the local industry specialists in order to explore business possibilities in this highly potential market.  This premier book trade event of Pakistan brings together domestic and international publishers, booksellers, librarians and institutional customers. The KIBF creates an excellent opportunity to the readers to view and purchase the best of the local and foreign books and publications at discounted prices. The growing participation of the exhibitors and the rising number of visitors every year has been the testimonials for the success of the KIBF over the years. “It is encouraging that the number of exhibitors at the KIBF is increasing every year. This clearly indicates that the object of holding such kind of events is highly appreciated by the book lovers of our country,” a member of the organizing committee remarked.  “The number of stalls is limited and the booking is being entertained on ‘first come first serve’ basis. We have advised the potential exhibitors to complete the Application Form and forward it to us along with participation charges as soon as possible to avoid inconvenience and disappointment,” the KIBF official stated.  The rates for the three by three square-meter stall would be Rs 43,000 for the national exhibitors and US $ 800 for the international exhibitors.  Meanwhile the KIBF, as in the past, will be setting up an exclusive arena for staging book launch ceremonies with the authors.

Aziz Memon highlights cross-border lessons in saving lives

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News and Features Services)

Aziz Memon, Chairman of Rotary International’s PolioPlus Committee, has expressed the eagerness to learn from India’s success in eradicating polio from Pakistan, one of three nations still registering indigenous transmission of wild poliovirus.

“India have not recorded a single case of polio since January 13, 2011, a fact acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO). Their success in the eradication of polio, serves as a beacon of hope for the nations like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria who are still struggling to control polio,” Aziz Memon, having served as the Governor of Rotary International’s District 3270 covering Afghanistan and Pakistan, remarked in an interview with the PNFS in Karachi on September 25.

“Pakistan could imbibe invaluable lessons from its neighbour about eradicating polio. This is vitally important because Pakistan had experienced the world’s largest nationwide outbreak of polio in 2011 with 198 reported cases,” he added.

“As of June 8, 2012, Pakistan had reported 21 cases of wild poliovirus, compared to 52 cases during the same period in 2011. Insurgency and security-related dangers don’t allow our national polio programme to consistently reach children in certain areas of FATA. Also the sub-optimal management of the programme at the sub-district level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan has seen inconsistent polio campaigns, with many children being missed during immunisation drives,” the Rotary official regretted.

‘In order to overcome the challenges, Rotary International has undertaken vigorous efforts in promoting the Polio Eradication Campaign in Pakistan, just as it did in India. Along with its partners, UNICEF and WHO, Rotary’s PolioPlus Committee in Pakistan has been overseeing eradication efforts. Pakistan has emulated India by roping in celebrity ambassadors to advance the cause of polio eradication and the most popular cricketer of the country, Shahid Afridi, is a part of the Polio Eradication Campaign,” Aziz Memon noted.

“We have also adopted best-practice modules from India like the identification of high-risk blocks, roping in religious leaders from different sects in door-to-door campaigns, conducting health camps to augment abysmal healthcare services, and producing social mobilisation materials for Information, Education and Communication on Polio. During NIDs (National Immunisation Days) and SNIDs (Sub-National Immunisation Days), Rotary Clubs in Pakistan work alongside government health workers during immunisation drives and also collaborate with multinational companies to boost awareness levels,” he added.

“The Rotary Clubs in Pakistan have been more proactive and persist with polio camps, walks and workshops that drive awareness and eradication efforts. Pakistan PolioPlus Committee has installed billboards in high-risk districts for national campaigns, with some billboards being permanent. As per the government’s request, an additional 45,000 vaccine carriers have been made to ensure quality of activities don’t suffer,” he disclosed.

“The Pakistani authorities are firmly committed to implementing eradication efforts to ensure polio spikes within its borders are curbed. To facilitate the success of its anti-polio initiatives, we sought India’s support in this drive. Apart from the exchange of delegations between the two nations, Pakistan’s serious intent is also evident from the fact that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is personally involved in the campaign against polio,” Aziz Memon explained. 

“Concerted and sustained efforts on the part of all stakeholders, public and private entities, partnerships and the public, for polio to be finally eradicated from Pakistan are essential because a failure to do so will leave open the perennial threat of wild poliovirus making a surreptitious comeback in other geographies too; that is something Pakistan, and the world, can ill afford at this crucial juncture,” he warned.

Major Pakistani Airports being closed daily for two hours

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News and Features Services)

The airports at Karachi, Islamabad and Peshawar are being closed for two hours daily and the closure will continue until end of December 2012 by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The Gilgit Airport will be closed during day light timings for eight and a half hours; from 9:30 am till 6:00 PM and now only one flight may operate between Islamabad-Gilgit and that too during early morning hours. The weather may again disturb the single flight.

According to airport sources, initially the CAA had issued a notice to all the airlines that it would close airports to de-rubber the runways until September 15, 2012. Therefore all the airlines operating Hajj flights prepared their departure schedule from these major after the second week of September.

However, without consulting the airlines the CAA has extended the closure of airports until last week of December 2012 which has created a complete disruption of flight schedules for not only the national flag carrier but also other local and foreign airlines who are complaining about it. 

Sources said that in case the government does not intervene and asks CAA to defer the cleaning of runways until the Hajj operation is over by end November the closure of airports may seriously affect the arrival of post Hajj flights.