Caretaker Minister for Mines visits DUET, Karachi

on 24/10/2023

Caretaker Sindh Minister for Mines and Minerals, Mir Khuda Baksh Mari visited Dawood University of Engineering & Technology (DUE&T), Karachi and inaugurated state-of-the-art High-Tech Performance Computer Laboratories, says the university’s social media outlet.
It says Mr. Mari also explored modern laboratories in the fields of materials and metallurgy, energy, and electronics.
The visit marked a collaboration agreement between Dawood University and the Ministry of Minerals.
The visit concluded on a positive note, highlighting the growing collaboration between academic institutions and government bodies to promote technological advancements and innovative research within the country.

Alsons Technology: Revolutionizing Healthcare

on 24/10/2023

The initiative to improve Pakistan’s healthcare system has been undertaken by Alsons Technology. Initially, they faced numerous challenges as the first Pakistani company dedicated to manufacturing medical devices entirely in-house. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted critical ventilator shortages globally.
In response, ALNNOVENT was created – an Electro-Mechanical ICU ventilator designed, developed, and manufactured by the Alsons Group in Pakistan. This ventilator proves to be a lifesaver within modern ICUs, offering a range of monitoring parameters and modes at a cost-effective price. Looking ahead, Alsons Technology plans to develop a variety of other devices to further support healthcare in Pakistan.

Have engineers really surrendered before power politics

on 24/10/2023

Caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar’s statement that the state of the country’s economic health is worse beyond her anticipation speaks volumes about the situation we are faced with.
Considered to be an eminent economic wizard, Dr. Akhtar’s account before a group of the country’s parliamentarians exposes the fault lines that we are set upon.
Also, interesting enough is the fact that she was telling such a frightening economic story to those {the members of the Senate} who until a few weeks were part and parcel of the agreement that as she believes has tied the hands of caretaker rulers their predecessors.
Not only Dr. Akhtar but also the recipients of her briefing knew what was coming in the next weeks and months after the agreement signed by the Shahbaz government with the International Monetary Institution (IMF).
The state of the economy for which independent economists had already claimed to have entered into the sphere of bankruptcy was no secret and the things had already slipped out of hands. Thus no traditional recipe can turn savior.
Given the backdrop, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Dr. Akhtar, in other words, just told them listen you already know we cannot do anything but to close our eyes. ‘After the agreement with the IMF, there is no fiscal space for giving subsidies for the power tariff to the people of Pakistan,’ she says.
Hike in oil prices and its subsequent impact on power tariff, agreements with Independent Power Projects (IPPS), deep corruption, theft, power losses, mismanagement, and the unwillingness of successive governments to introduce reforms joined hands to tighten the noose around the necks have created unprecedented reactions across Pakistan.
In response to the situation on the ground, caretakers have to do anything but throw unscrupulous offers such as breaking the bills into installments to the people that could not ease the burden at all.
Pakistan’s electricity situation though having a political angle is an engineering story too. Right from policy, planning, and execution, thousands of engineers are involved in this story.
Ironically, most of these engineers including those who were elevated to be part of the parliament and now will be sitting around the table as members of recently-formed engineers’ caucus did not appear to float any engineering solution to address the issues.
Very recently, one of the stalwart engineers who happened to be the prime minister of the country bitterly opposed the Separate Cadre Bill for engineers in Pakistan when it was moved to the lower house of the parliament. Thus, he sided with the bureaucracy and politicians who primarily ruined the economy of the country and brought the people on the roads.
Even now, the caretaker government finds no way but to approach the IMF to create space for subsidies, while the engineers are still busy advocating that their leaders will save the people when they assume power after winning the elections which they even do not know when the elections will really take place.

Gwadar, Mansehra, Turbal airports on focus, PSDP allocates over Rs.6 bn

on 24/10/2023

The federal government has allocated Rs5 billion for the construction and completion of the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) in Balochistan province.
Under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2023-24, the government has set aside Rs5 billion for the NGIA, which will prove vital for air traffic in and out of the strategic port city of Gwadar.
The government is also planning to build a new airport in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which lies at the most important strategic route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The government has allocated an initial sum of Rs50 million for the starting phases of the airport. The funds will be spent on the establishment of basic aerodrome facilities and the acquisition of land for the construction of the airport.
The government has also decided to establish comfortable accommodation facilities for the officers and ladies of the Airport Security Force (ASF) at various airports in the country. They include Gilgit Airport with a total allocation of Rs50 million, Faisalabad Airport with an allocation of Rs20 million, and Turbat Airport with a total sum of Rs60 million.
The academies of the ASF in Karachi will also get a revamping as the government has decided to spend Rs160 million on their upgradation.
Another important decision taken by the government is to set up a ‘meteorological observatory’ in the scenic valley of Kaghan in Mansehra district to collect data about weather patterns and climatic vagaries.
The total funds allocated for the project are Rs50 million, which also includes funds for the construction of a hostel for operational staff at Balakot.
Similarly, weather surveillance radars will also be set up in Sukkur city of Sindh province and Multan city of Punjab province with a total allocation of Rs60 million to collect data on weather from different parts of the country.
In total, the government has allocated Rs5.34 billion for the ongoing schemes in the Aviation Division of the country and Rs110 million for the initiation of new schemes.
The total allocation for the Aviation Division in the PSDP 2023-24 amounts to Rs5.45 billion, which indicates the government’s active efforts to improve the status of air travel in Pakistan.
The completion of the NGIA will give a much-needed boost to investment and economic activity in Balochistan province as people will be able to freely move in and out of the strategic port city.
Similarly, better and latest weather data collected from state-of-art meteorological facilities will help to keep air travel smooth and safe.
Construction of the new airport in Mansehra will add more thrust to the tourism industry of the country up north.
Air travel represents one of the most exquisite forms of communication in modern hyper-entrepreneurial economies. Essential and healthy air travel facilities increase the country’s access to the liquid capital that circulates in the world for optimal allocation.

NESPAK celebrates Independence Day with fervor

on 24/10/2023

NESPAK celebrated the 76th Independence Day with a dignified yet impactful ceremony held at NESPAK House in Lahore. The event commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by heartfelt prayers for national unity and the advancement of the country.
Mr. Zargham Eshaq Khan, the acting Managing Director of NESPAK, marked the occasion by raising the national flag while the national anthem resounded in the air. The event was highlighted by a significant announcement wherein the Acting MD proudly unveiled the acquisition of a record breaking business in 2023 valued at Rs. 17 billion—a remarkable 20 percent increase from the previous year.
“This achievement stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our exceptional team and the trust that our clients place in us,” commented the acting MD of NESPAK. He further revealed that among the newly acquired projects, one with a valuation of Rs. 1.3 billion had recently been secured in Saudi Arabia. Notably, seven of NESPAK’s Divisions have achieved business acquisitions exceeding Rs. one billion this year, thus further enriching NESPAK’s already illustrious portfolio.
In an inspiring commitment, he assured that the organization would translate its success into tangible benefits for its staff through increased salaries. As a gesture of recognition, shields were conferred upon employees who demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the year. The Acting MD, accompanied by senior professionals, also engaged in the symbolic cutting of a celebratory cake.
Looking ahead, NESPAK remains steadfast in its role as a pioneer in driving positive change and contributing to the nation’s narrative of growth.