2nd Pakistan Plumbing and Firefighting Expo 2024: A Remarkable Event for Industry Advancement

on 05/08/2024

The 2nd Pakistan Plumbing and Firefighting Expo (PPFE 2024) successfully concluded on 3-4 July 2024 at the Karachi Expo Center, marking a significant milestone in promoting the importance of plumbing and firefighting systems in building sustainability and safety.
Industry Showcase and Participation PPFE 2024 witnessed the participation of 53 companies, showcasing top-quality solutions and products for plumbing and fire protection. Over 70 percent of the products displayed were made in Pakistan, reinforcing the event’s focus on local innovation and manufacturing. The expo emerged as the largest showcase of PVC pipes and fittings, with companies also presenting high-quality fire and protection systems.
Educational and Networking Opportunities The two-day event was a hub for immersive learning, networking, and professional growth. It featured two international-class conferences on Modern Plumbing and Fire and Safety, drawing participation from leading MEP consultants, engineers, and experts, including:
• Engr. Syed Amir Ali, CEO, SEMS Engineers
• Farhan Mehboob, CEO, SMC Consultants
• Fahmin I. Siddiqui, CEO, FND Consult
• Fahad Hasan, Director, YH Associates
• Pankaj Dhakar, Presidential Member, Fire & Security Association of India
Inauguration and Keynote Addresses Engr. Najeeb Haroon, Chairman of the Pakistan Engineering Council inaugurated the event and appreciated the concept and objectives of PPFE. Engr. Farooq Mehboob, Presidential Member of ASHRAE, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the critical issues and importance of plumbing and safety in buildings, and their value for human lives, investment, and sustainable built environments. Notable speakers also included Engr. Sohail Bashir, Chairman, IEP, Prof. Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, Vice Chancellor, NED University, and Engr. Yousuf Hasan, CEO, YH Associates spoke about the standards and challenges in plumbing and fire safety.
Special Session and Panel Discussions Moreover, A special session on “Updates on International Accord,” that was chaired by Mr. George Faller, Chief Safety Officer at Accord Pakistan highlighted safety and fire protection standards in the textile and garment factories in Pakistan.
Tariq Moen, Director of the Fire Protection Association of Pakistan, delivered an insightful speech on fire and protection in Pakistan.
Two engaging panel discussions were also held:
Challenges in Plumbing Systems for High-Rise Buildings: Innovations, Solutions, and Best Practices
Lessons Learned from Major Fire Incidents: Improving Safety and Prevention Strategies
Training and Community Engagement PPFE 2024 turned into a comprehensive business and training platform, training 975 individuals over two days. In collaboration with Sindh Emergency Rescue Services (Rescue 1122), more than 500 participants from various sectors were trained as Emergency First Responders, and about 475 people attended a Masterclass Training on Fire and Safety, consisting of eight sessions over two days.
Visitor Turnout and Coverage The event drew an impressive 5,347 visitors and covered a total area of 36,000 square feet.
The organizer of the Pakistan Plumbing and Firefighting Expo has announced plans to return next year with even more value addition and industry advancements. The next edition promises to feature:
• Increased participation from more companies, both from Pakistan and abroad, showcasing the latest innovations and products.
• A greater number of expert speakers and presenters, providing cutting-edge insights and knowledge.
• Expanded learning opportunities through additional conferences, workshops, and training sessions.
• A futuristic approach to addressing industry challenges and trends, making the expo a truly international platform with unparalleled significance.
BRG Events is committed to building on the success of PPFE 2024, ensuring the event continues to set new benchmarks in the industry and provide unmatched value to all participants.

Fast Cables: Aiming to empower communities through sustainable development. Govt should facilitate, provide a level playing field to local companies: Kamal Mian

on 05/08/2024

We are very serious about focusing on our core business and its quality. We manufacture PVC, copper, and aluminum rods, and also engage in related business activities. However, our primary commitment lies in elevating the standards of our current operations. Our tagline, ‘Taroon Se Sitaroon Tak,’ reflects our dedication to achieving excellence in our vision,” says Kamal Mian, Managing Director of Fast.
He shared his insights with Engineering Review during an interview in Lahore. “Our decision to list on the Pakistan Stock Exchange aims to empower communities through sustainable development,” he explained. “To achieve this, we must ensure our own sustainability and undertake comprehensive planning to position ourselves for the future. This move will transform people into future stakeholders and enable us to raise funds for future expansions.
Relation between Economic Crisis and a Positive Approach
Instead of dwelling on negatives that drain your energy, we should focus on the positives, as positivity can yield results. We have always considered what we can do positively. For instance, during the balance of payments crisis, our cable and conductor industry, which imports metals and uses net dollars, began thinking about how to contribute to resolving this national issue. As a result, we shifted our focus to tripling our exports. This contribution to the national economy also benefited us; we were able to export goods worth over a billion rupees. Our positive approach led us to develop a medium voltage cable (33 KV cable), a product not typically made in Pakistan, and we exported over 400 kilometers of this cable to Saudi Arabia. I believe our national situation is not as dire as perceived.
Made in Pakistan and Our Governments
We often rely too heavily on the government. We must move away from this culture. What is the government? It collects taxes, fulfills macro-level responsibilities, and governs the country. I do not agree that we can only succeed if the government acts. Instead, we expect the government to facilitate and provide a level playing field, rather than offering subsidies, etc. What we need are policy interventions that ensure fairness, not policies like those seen in CPEC, where companies were granted tax and duty exemptions, putting local companies at a significant disadvantage. We oppose policies that harm the interests of local companies. By establishing a level playing field, local companies can thrive. During the Covid-19 pandemic and the balance of payments crisis, when imports were difficult, Fast Cables undertook an important project: The Thar-Matyari transmission line, where imports were not feasible. For the first time, we produced a 500 KV conductor for this transmission line. This demonstrated that local companies can better serve the country if they are trusted.
Innovation and Standard of Fresh Engineers
Of course, there is a gap, and we have introduced a Management Training Program in our company to bridge it. I think universities should link undergraduates with industrial experience by introducing various linkage programs so that they are ready before joining the industry. These programs should be introduced even at pre-university levels in the country, as we focus more on the theoretical and learning side rather than the practical side. Also, graduates require soft skills which are essential before specialization in their subjects.
Imports vs Exports
We have focused 10 percent of our business on exports. The balance of payments is not solely a government-specific issue; it’s a national issue since we import more than we export. All sectors, including the service industry, power, and agriculture, need to make efforts to increase exports. It will affect our economic growth because lower growth rates are not an option for us. We have to provide employment for a large number of young people, for whom growth is essential.
Fast and Lights
We launched the light project two years ago after thorough research. In this field, there are no national standards. Now we are educating people on why they should opt for quality lights; it is a challenge. Substandard lighting can affect vision and be detrimental to health. We have received a good response as our consumers are well aware. Price is, of course, an issue, but in terms of returns, people appreciate it. I think the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and other bodies should work on standards for lights so that quality standards are maintained in the country.

Dadhocha Dam Among Top 4 Water Sector Projects Receive ECNEC Approval

on 05/08/2024

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar this month, approved four water sector projects.
Among these is the Government of Punjab’s project, “Construction of Dadhocha Dam (revised).”
According to a press release from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, “The project aims to address water deficiencies in Rawalpindi by supplying 35 MGDs of water.”
Dadhocha Dam will be located near Dadhocha village in Rawalpindi. The dam will have a storage capacity of 60,000 acre-feet, with a dead level of 15,000 acre-feet. It is considered crucial for meeting the water needs of Rawalpindi and its surrounding areas.
Initially proposed in 2001 with an estimated cost of Rs. 7 billion, construction of the dam was awarded to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) in 2020.
In August 2015, a report was submitted to the Supreme Court by the Punjab Irrigation Department, assuring that the dam would be built at its original site, which is included in the master plan of DHA Valley, Islamabad.
On January 27, 2016, the Rawalpindi district administration instructed the Punjab Irrigation Department to resume construction of the stalled Dadhocha Dam to resolve issues with Defence, Islamabad-Rawalpindi.
In January 2021, individuals affected by the dam project held a public gathering and peaceful march to express concerns about displacement without proper rehabilitation. They demanded increased compensation rates for their lands and the development of a resettlement plan.
Additionally, the ECNEC approved the Upgradation of Pakistan Railways’ existing Main Line-1 (ML-1) and directed that Phase I of the project, covering 929 km from Karachi to Multan, be prioritized.
The ECNEC also approved the “Flood Response Emergency Housing Project (Phase-I),” to be funded through an Asian Development Bank loan. This project aims to support over 250,000 flood-affected people in Sindh by reconstructing flood-resilient houses through community-led efforts.
Other water sector projects approved include the Gomal Zam Multipurpose Project, the Raising of Mangla Dam Project, and the Golen Gol Hydropower Project, all of which are now progressing towards completion.
Furthermore, the forum approved the “Development of Integrated Transit Trade Management System,” envisioning the construction of state-of-the-art border crossing points at Torkham, Chaman, and Wahga, establishment of the Land Port Authority, and digital end-to-end tracking of containerized cargo.
ECNEC also extended the implementation period of the “Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project (KNIP)” by six months to December 31, 2024. This project aims to enhance the accessibility, usability, and attractiveness of public spaces such as roads, streets, parks, open spaces, and public buildings in selected neighborhoods of Karachi.
Lastly, ECNEC approved the Construction of a Border Terminal at the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border in Badini and the upgrade of a 40-km road from Murgha Faqirzai to Khan Dagar on the Main Badini Road in district Saifullah.

PEC Elections 2024 TEP, PEG-NEA begin exercises; Najeeb busy cobbling alliance

on 05/08/2024

The alliance between the Professional Excellence Group (PEG) and the National Engineers Alliance (NEA) has created an interesting situation for engineers and their groups across Pakistan. Waseem Nazir and Qadir Shah, leading their respective groups, struggled to forge an alliance, which consequently led other groups and influential engineers, including the Pakistan Engineers Forum (PEF) to rethink their positions in the elections.
Before the PEG-NEA alliance, Waseem Nazir’s negotiating team was in talks with PEF for jointly contesting elections, while Qadir Shah and his team were on the verge of closing doors on Jawed Salim Qureshi’s The Engineers Pakistan (TEP). However, TEP’s core committee did not approve of picking Qadir Shah as the joint candidate for the chairman’s post.
Interestingly, despite the majority belief within Qadir Shah’s group that Shah cannot win the election as chairman independently, they are supporting a non-NEA leader for the chairman of the council once again. Before supporting Waseem Nazir, Qadir Shah’s group had agreed to back Najeeb Haroon as chairman, aligning with the Constructors Association of Pakistan (CAP) and personalities like Dr. Niaz Akhtar. Equally interesting is the fact that both Najeeb Haroon and Waseem Nazir hail from PEG.
NEA had opened talks with Jawed Salim Qureshi who, according to Shah’s engineers, had agreed to throw his weight behind Shah for the top slot but stepped back later. Behind-the-scenes discussions apart, prospects of the Shah-Qureshi alliance had sparked widespread discussions in the engineering fraternity, much like the talk after Shah’s alliance with Waseem Nazir. After an unsuccessful attempt with Jawed Salim Qureshi, Shah’s group found itself in a challenging situation and apparently had two options. ‘One, Shah should fight alone and lose the elections; and two, he should stand behind Najeeb yet again and lose,’ says one of his close associates. He said Waseem Nazir was the best solution in the given circumstances for winning the elections.
The NEA-PEG alliance, a senior TEP engineer says, will force Jawed Salim Qureshi to work hard and lure more and more engineers for support. Although Punjab would be the real battleground, the group has to seriously look into issues in Sindh—the second-largest province of Pakistan—where TEP has to face the Qadir Shah group now with Waseem Nazir.
Before falling for Waseem Nazir, NEA had some solid and some wavering support for Najeeb Haroon, who had hopes that his erstwhile allies would back him for the second tenure. ‘It was Qadir Shah who refused in point blank to stand alongside Najeeb,’ revealed an NEA leader.
Najeeb Haroon, the incumbent chairman of the council, is faced with a challenge to cobble together remaining groups and personalities for shaping a coalition that could be as influential as TEP and NEA. He is looking towards Ashfaq Shah, PEF, estranged associates of Waseem Nazir, and influential engineers, attempting to forge a kind of arrangement. Among them, any alliance with Ashfaq Shah may be a distant possibility for Najeeb Haroon, as Shah is reportedly adamant about his stance on the chairman’s post.
The PEG-NEA alliance has not only affected Najeeb Haroon’s calculations; PEF also has to rethink their strategy as the group was reportedly in advanced talks with the PEG team. They must be reevaluating the situation and weighing their options: supporting Najeeb Haroon, Ashfaq Shah, or going alone. In the 2021 elections, PEF was part of the National Engineers Alliance but withdrew at the last minute, claiming betrayal over seat allocations in the governing body. PEF leaders assert they had signed an agreement with Najeeb Haroon, which he did not honor.
Now, with Najeeb Haroon being one of three options, PEF must make a decision in the coming days. Whether they will be able to make a significant impact remains to be seen, as PEF may not support Ashfaq Shah, being a smaller group for the chairman’s post.
This week’s update: Engr. Waseem Nazir, leading the Professional Excellence Group (PEG), and Engr. Qadir Shah, leading the National Engineers Association (NEA), have decided to jointly contest the PEC Elections 2024 scheduled for August 18. The new alliance has announced that Engr. Nazir will be the coalition’s candidate for the post of Chairman, and Engr. Raghib Shah for Senior Vice Chairman.
The top leadership of PEG and NEA met in Karachi to forge an alliance for the upcoming Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) Elections 2024, as stated in today’s NEA press release. Recognizing the importance of unity over individual ambitions, NEA and PEG have decided to merge their efforts and contest the elections under the unified banner of PEG-NEA.
The press release reads: “This collaboration combines the wealth of local experience with the innovative perspectives of global thought leaders. Together, they aim to transform PEC into a dynamic, forward-looking organization that meets international benchmarks and standards.” Engr. Waseem Nazir has been nominated as the joint candidate for Chairman, while Engr. Raghib Abbas Shah will stand for Senior Vice Chairman. Candidates for the remaining positions of vice chairmen of all provinces and members will be announced shortly.

Uncertainty surrounding PEC election date sparks widespread debate

on 04/07/2024

“The alliance fever that had gripped the friends and foes of Engr. Abdul Qadir Shah and Engr. Jawed Saleem Qureshi’s groups for the last few months has finally receded to a great degree. It seems that both, or at least one, has started to return to normal. As a result, both groups are likely to go their separate ways, and the rest of the groups are also expected to review their strategies for the PEC Elections 2024.”
“Both Engr. Shah and Engr. Qureshi, along with their intermediaries, maintained contact despite the latter’s core group never favoring support for the former, especially for the office of chairman. Engr. Qureshi’s core group believes they would suffer the most if they were to endorse Engr. Qadir Shah for the top office. Engr. Qureshi’s top lieutenants claim the negotiation process for the alliance, which aimed to promote Engr. Qadir Shah as the joint candidate for chairman, has broken down. Nevertheless, both groups can discuss a joint effort to resolve issues concerning engineers and the engineering industry in Pakistan.”
Now, with the alliance between two well-known groups appearing increasingly distant, one — TEP — has begun finalizing its panel, while the other — NEA — is contemplating whether to retain Engr. Qadir Shah as their candidate for the chairman’s post. The assessment suggests that no major group would endorse Engr. Shah for the top position. However, the consolidation of smaller groups, including one led by Engr. Ashfaq Shah, may work in his favor. Additionally, the situation may compel NEA to reconsider its earlier decision not to ally with Engr. Najeeb Haroon, whose political party is reportedly striving to gain support from PPP and PML-N circles for a second term in office. While the PPP-PML-N alliance is reportedly concluded, the outcome of MQM’s efforts remains to be seen.
“In a scenario where smaller groups of engineers in Pakistan have gained importance across all four provinces, larger groups are actively engaged in the field. For instance, the Pakistan Engineers Forum (PEF), led by Engr. Al Kazim Mansoor, has been proactive in organizing its strength while engaging with smaller groups and influential engineers nationwide. PEF leaders Engr. Mansoor and Engr. Imtiaz Shah have visited cities like Hyderabad and Nawabshah, believed to be supported by NEA, to garner support from engineers. PEF aims to make a difference in the upcoming elections, following a previous chapter that did not bring much fortune to the group.”
“Engr. Najeeb Haroon, as reports pour in, has been traveling across Pakistan and has actively launched his campaign in all four provinces. He has a long list of activities undertaken during his tenure that he believes are sufficient to convince engineers to vote for him for a second tenure. Many engineers in his circle still expect the NEA to return to his fold and revive the alliance that swept the elections in 2021.”
Like others, Engr. Waseem Nazir, leading a significant group of engineers in Pakistan—Pakistan Excellence Group (PEG)—has been busy meeting numerous groups to explore the possibility of support. Some engineers in Sindh say Engr. Nazir sees PEF as his ally, which they believe will bolster his position across the country, especially in Sindh and Punjab. PEF has already opened channels with Sindh-based Dr. Niaz Memon, who was the PEG candidate for the post of Vice Chairman Sindh against NEA candidate Engr. Mukhtiar Shaikh in previous elections.
Pakistan’s PEC Elections 2024 scenario is developing, but the exact date of the elections remains unclear. The last meeting of the PEC Governing Body (GB) failed to reach a consensus on the election date. One group of GB members, citing the PEC Act, insists that the election process must be completed two weeks before the date on which the winners of the 2021 Election were sworn in. However, another group, including the incumbent chairman, believes that weather patterns necessitate a one-month postponement of the elections. The council has sought the opinion of the Law Division on whether the elections can be delayed for this reason.
The uncertainty surrounding the election date has sparked widespread debate in engineering circles and groups. One such group, TEP, has stated that they will approach the court if the election schedule is not announced in the next few days.