Pakistan Cables Believes in Investing Only in Pakistan: Salman Tahir

on 13/11/2024

General Manager, Sales and New Business Development unveils secrets behind constant rise of Amir Sultan Chinoy group

‘Sales and Business Ventures’ are among the major indicators that determine the strength of a company, and the abundance of opportunities that business houses embrace paints the landscape of any country’s health. In nations with economies like ours, bringing new business ventures is not an easy task. However, Pakistan Cables has certainly mastered the art of making it easier. How? We asked Salman Tahir, General Manager, Sales and New Business Development at Pakistan Cables Ltd.

Depicting economic scenario

We see an overall pessimistic view if one looks at things around them, but when you look at the engineering industry, things grow manifold. There are several reasons, such as the country having passed through tough times that affected policies. As a result, demand in the construction and engineering industries was impacted, turning business transactions into a challenge for manufacturers and suppliers. But tougher times are always an opportunity for analysis, reevaluation, and minimizing errors while making improvements. In other words, difficult times are always a blessing in disguise, and working in such situations  bears fruit. Pakistan Cables followed this approach and set up a new plant in Nooriabad during difficult times, construction activity commenced a little prior to COVID-19 lockdowns. It was a huge capital investment—building a new plant on more than 40 acres, impacted by rising interest rates, inflation and low demand. Our resilience and preservance is paying off with the near completion of the Nooriabad factory, set to transform industry in Pakistan.

Boldness Vs difficult times

It’s our philosophy! Amir Sultan Chinoy Group (ASC) is one of the pioneering and largest groups in engineering and building materials category. ASC has been contributing towards localization of engineering products through its member companies that include Pakistan Cables, International Industries (IIL) and International Steel Ltd. (ISL) for 71 years. We believe in investing in Pakistan, as there is huge potential for improvement in the country. Looking at the countries around us, we recognize that we still have a long way to go on the path to development. This opens great avenues for those who wish to invest in Pakistan and are ready for difficult times.

We also know that Pakistan has significant opportunities for exports. Over the last five years, Pakistan Cables has made considerable efforts to develop export markets in the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. We believe that attracting export markets can help offset a dwindling local market and earn foreign exchange for the country.

Pakistan Cables Nooriabad Plant and its products
We manufacture medium- and low-voltage cables used in power transmission and distribution, as well as in building and industrial projects. We have brought top-of-the-line equipment to Pakistan, such as the CCV Line, Pakistan’s 1st 69 kV line for MV cables which is German technology. As a result, we are now able to produce cables highest voltage cables (up to 69 KV), a first in the country. This serves as import substitution, localization, and an export product. Additionally, we produce transmission line conductors. For the raw materials, we have set up a state-of-the-art plant that localizes raw materials, which benefits us in terms of cost.

Climate Change and New Products
We have already launched several sustainability initiatives at both the Nooriabad and SITE plants. Against the backdrop of climate change, solar panels, inverters, and cables, especially those imported from China, have become increasingly important. We started localizing these products and have successfully developed ACCC® conductors and solar power cables. In the case of ACCC®, we have formed a technology partnership for localization with CTC, USA. Now, we are exclusively producing this conductor in Pakistan, which is being used by our distribution companies. We have successfully completed three projects so far, and it has reduced power line losses by up to 30 percent.

Business Ventures
Pakistan Cables has grown with foreign affiliations from the outset. We began with BIIC, UK, with which we were equity partners, and our partners were among the top cable manufacturers. Then, in 2010, we partnered with General Cables and enjoyed technological leadership in Pakistan. With CTC Global, we introduced ACCC conductors and continue to pursue the same philosophy.

Very recently, we signed an MoU with Bahra Electric, Saudi Arabia, with a vision of bringing business to both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia through mutual technological learning, sourcing materials, and more. This is a multifaceted partnership that will prove to be a promising start in the power sector.

Ease of Doing Business
It has been over seven decades since we began our journey, which started with the bold step of setting up an industry. Personally, I deeply appreciate the people who establish industries and conduct business in Pakistan because it requires extraordinary courage. Despite the challenges, we have yet to realize the full potential of our country. We do everything with the future of the country in mind. There are many difficulties that will arise when you begin working, but only with commitment can you succeed on this journey. — MS

Pakistan Cables Expands “ASCEND” Program to Empower Women in STEM

on 13/11/2024

Pakistan Cables announced a partnership with two leading engineering universities in Pakistan for a second round of ASCEND, the company’s flagship program aimed at promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) subjects among women in Pakistan. The program partners include NED University, Karachi, for a second time, and Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, for the first time. Through ASCEND, Pakistan Cables offers need-based scholarships and internships to talented female students leading up to their graduation.

First launched in 2021 in collaboration with NED University, ASCEND focuses on empowering talented female electrical engineering students by providing them with industry exposure. The first batch successfully completed the program in 2024, after which the company renewed its partnership with NED and expanded the program to include Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro.

With the addition of Mehran University, Pakistan Cables aims to broaden its impact by providing more opportunities for female students to excel in STEM fields. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Pakistan Cables and the respective universities, reinforcing the company’s commitment to empowering women in engineering.

ASCEND is a pioneering initiative in the industry and promises to contribute to the development of a stronger, more diverse workforce, fostering innovation and growth in Pakistan’s industrial sector.

Founded in 1953, Pakistan Cables is the premier and most reputable cable manufacturer in Pakistan. It is the first and oldest wire and cable manufacturer listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) since 1955 and is also a member of the Amir S. Chinoy (ASC) group. The company has the largest geographical footprint in Pakistan, with a presence in over 180 cities. It is ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and OHSAS 18001:2007 certified, with various cables type-tested by KEMA, Netherlands. Pakistan Cables is the only building materials company in Pakistan that has its carbon emission reduction targets approved and validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). – KARACHI: PR

Pakistani Tractors Set to Transform Farming in Tanzania

on 13/11/2024

In a significant milestone for Pakistan’s agricultural export sector, the first consignment of Pakistani-made tractors has successfully arrived in Tanzania, marking a pivotal moment in trade relations between Pakistan and East Africa. This shipment, which reached Masai Trekta Company Ltd., a leading firm in both Kenya and Tanzania, represents a promising step toward enhancing agricultural productivity in the region.

The tractors, imported from Lahore-based Pak Tractors House, are expected to provide local farmers with improved tools for increasing their efficiency and productivity. This development was made possible through the diligent efforts of key figures, including Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul, and Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Zubair Multiwala. Their coordinated efforts, along with the support of Pakistan’s High Commission in Nairobi—especially High Commissioner Ibrar Hussain and Commercial Counsellor Adeela Younis—were crucial in facilitating this successful transaction with Masai Trekta Company Ltd.

Masai Trekta Company, which recently established its tractor distribution head office in Tanzania, is now positioned as a vital partner in promoting Pakistani agricultural machinery across Tanzania and potentially extending its reach throughout the region. The arrival of these tractors not only reinforces Pakistan’s export portfolio in East Africa but also lays the groundwork for future shipments, bolstering economic ties and supporting local farmers in their agricultural pursuits.

Officials from Pak Tractors House expressed optimism about the potential for increased trade, highlighting the quality and reliability of their products. They believe that the success of this initial consignment could lead to a series of future collaborations, enhancing Pakistan’s presence in the East African market.

Minister Jam Kamal Khan emphasized the importance of this achievement, noting that it reflects Pakistan’s commitment to expanding its global trade partnerships, particularly with African nations. He underscored that such initiatives not only benefit the country’s manufacturing sector but also enhance its economic footprint in the region. The collaboration with Masai Trekta Company Ltd is poised to drive further growth in tractor exports, providing East African farmers with access to high-quality, reliable agricultural equipment essential for advancing their productivity and supporting regional development.

Can SC Directives Improve Public Sector Universities?

on 13/11/2024

By Manzoor Shaikh

Supreme Court’s order for clearing the mess in the country’s public sector universities regarding temporary postings against tenured positions may prove more of a talking point in the institutions rather than a welcome move. This is because the system designed for filling top positions, especially the offices of the vice chancellors, seems to hinder improvement in the institutions.

An exchange of views with several senior professors and vice chancellors suggests that the situation concerning postings, as well as the management of the institutions in line with the prescribed law, may not change in the near future.

Political Influence

In light of their experiences, they believe that political influence is the biggest hurdle to any substantial change in public sector universities. Even the vice chancellors who dare to run the institutions in accordance with the law have to bear the brunt of ruling circles and face stiff resistance from within the institution.

‘There are many factors involved that have led the public sector universities to their present condition,’ says a retired professor who requests anonymity. Vice chancellors alone cannot put the universities on the right track; they need to be free of the pressures that come from ruling circles, whether related to recruitments, appointments, promotions, or governance. For instance, a university professor recalls that vice chancellors receive numerous calls from relevant ministries, departments, elected representatives, etc., asking for undue favors for recommended employees. ‘They are sometimes forced to respond to such calls, knowing they {the vice chancellors} will need to return for funding and resolutions of various issues in their universities.’

Pick Your Vice Chancellor

The overwhelming majority of vice chancellors are political appointees, irrespective of their abilities, claims a senior staff member from a public sector university in Sindh. He {the vice chancellor} is either a nominee of an influential politician in the area where his university is located or a close aide of someone connected to the appointing authority in the respective province.

In Punjab, university circles claim that an influential vice chancellor, who was close to the then chief minister during the PTI government, had 18 people appointed to top positions in the province’s universities. Many people report a similar story in Sindh province as well.

A Complete Game

Another senior professor, who has worked with several known and credible vice chancellors, states that a complete set of factors has shaped a system in which deviation from the established path for aspiring vice chancellors is nearly impossible. For instance, the search committees that provincial governments form to find candidates for vice chancellorships often include individuals of questionable integrity. ‘These committees are comprised of people who neither understand the required caliber and stature nor have any prior experience managing the office of the vice chancellor,’ he claims. ‘They {committee members} often ask silly questions during brief interviews with vice chancellor candidates.’

These committees do not establish any rubrics throughout the selection process for the offices of vice chancellors, making it difficult to assess candidates’ educational qualifications, associations with local and international institutions, publications and citations, professional funding, and international experience. A comprehensive plan for how a university would advance under a new vice chancellor is also lacking.

A senior professor asserts that if the recent appointments of vice chancellors in Sindh’s universities are scrutinized against the requisite standards, hardly any would meet the true demands of the office.

Corruption Allegation: An Effective Tool

Even if a vice chancellor is committed to bringing meaningful change, there are numerous ways to discourage him, especially if he does not adhere to the established standards for the office. A senior official from a public sector university claims that allegations of corruption are the most effective tool to bring him to his knees. He referred to several public sector universities in rural Sindh, stating that the corruption allegation tool was effectively used to dislodge vice chancellors.

Weaker Syndicates

To maintain the status quo, weaker syndicates are essential, says yet another professor serving at a university in Karachi. Since most nominations for members of syndicates are based on political affiliations, they tend to avoid crossing lines and instead facilitate decisions that suit the vice chancellor and political bosses.

For these reasons, around 24 public sector universities across Pakistan have been highlighted in reports submitted by the additional attorney general and provinces to the apex court of the country.

Hydropower: A Crucial Element in the Sustainable Development of Renewable Energy 

on 13/11/2024

Engr. Dr. Muhammad Nawaz Iqbal

Hydropower is an essential component of renewable energy development that is sustainable and contributes significantly to the global shift toward greener and more ecologically friendly power sources. Hydropower is a renewable energy technique that produces electricity by using the kinetic energy of the water as it flows. Hydropower is an essential part of the diverse range of renewable energy options because of its intrinsic sustainability, which comes from the ongoing water cycle, which guarantees a steady and replenishable energy source. Hydropower’s capacity to offer a steady and dependable supply of electricity is one of its main benefits. Hydropower generates electricity in a consistent and predictable manner, in contrast to inconsistent renewable sources like solar and wind. Because of its consistency, hydropower is a key resource for supplying the growing need for sustainable and clean electricity. It also helps to ensure grid dependability and energy security. Hydropower’s baseload properties make it a crucial component for maintaining a steady supply of power and balancing energy systems.

The extended operational lifespan of hydropower projects adds to their overall ecological viability. Hydropower infrastructure’s resilience makes it possible to generate electricity for longer periods of time, adding stability and longevity to the energy mix. since of their lengthy lifespan, power producing facilities have less of an environmental impact during construction and decommissioning since they require fewer frequent replacements or extensive maintenance. Particularly when contrasted with traditional fossil fuel-based power generation, hydropower has a relatively small environmental impact. During its operational phase, hydropower plants emit the fewest greenhouse gases possible, which helps to reduce pollution and carbon dioxide. Further boosting the environmental advantages of hydropower are the reservoirs built by certain sizable hydropower projects, which can act as carbon sinks by absorbing and storing carbon from nearby plant and soil. Hydropower technology’s adaptability enables a variety of project sizes, ranging from modest run-of-river installations to substantial reservoir-based projects. Because of its versatility, hydropower may be used in a range of climates and geographic situations. In rural or off-grid locations, small-scale hydropower installations can be installed to supply electricity to people that might not have access to centrally controlled power systems. On the other hand, large-scale hydropower projects may supply the needs of industrial complexes and metropolitan areas, enhancing the region’s overall energy security.

Reservoirs with hydropower frequently have uses besides producing electricity. They can supply drinking water, store water for agricultural irrigation, and give recreational activities. The ability of hydropower projects to serve multiple purposes, including water management, food security, socioeconomic development, and energy needs, is evidence of their potential to support more general sustainable development objectives. Modern technology, like sophisticated turbine layouts and control structures, improve hydropower facilities’ efficiency. Energy conversion rates are increased by advancements and developments in turbine technology, which raises the effectiveness and affordability of hydropower systems. These developments improve hydropower plants’ overall performance and raise their competitiveness in the changing energy market. Projects using hydropower aid in the management of water resources and the adaptation to climate change. By offering a means of water storage and regulated release, hydropower projects that regulate river flows can help lessen the effects of floods and droughts. Hydropower reservoirs can also function as buffers against climate change, offering dependable water supplies for human and agricultural use despite altered precipitation patterns and heightened weather unpredictability.

For sustainable development, hydropower is essential to efforts to electrify underdeveloped nations. In many regions of the world, especially in isolated and rural locations, getting power is still difficult. Small-scale hydropower projects give off-grid populations a clean, sustainable energy supply by offering a decentralized, dependable option. The process of electricity fosters general socio-economic growth by improving living conditions, opening up economic opportunities, and facilitating access to necessary services. Hydropower project development must take social and environmental factors into account. One way to reduce the possible negative consequences of hydropower developments is to implement thorough environmental impact evaluations and stakeholder engagement processes. In order to guarantee that hydropower projects respect the biodiversity and cultural traditions of the areas they affect and are in line with sustainable development goals, it is imperative that ecological preservation and energy demands be balanced.

As a dependable, adaptable, and low-carbon power generation option, hydropower is essential to the sustainable growth of renewable energy. It is crucial to the worldwide effort to create a cleaner, more sustainable energy future because of its capacity to deliver power consistently, adapt to various sizes and geographical situations, and support more general socio-economic and environmental goals. As best practices and technology advance, hydropower is well-positioned to continue playing a major role in the shift to a more sustainable, resilient, and balanced energy mix.