90 housing schemes in Sindh’s 5 districts detected unlawful

on 09/01/2023

Sindh Master Plan Authority has reportedly detected around 90 housing schemes in rural towns of Sindh that do not fall within its parameters.
Consequently, a report says the authority has issued notices to the builders of these schemes for getting their schemes regularized with the authority or face action.
These schemes are located in Matiari, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Naushehroferoz, and Khairpur Mirs’ districts.
The authority believes these housing schemes of which 3 are in Matiari, 7 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 8 in Sanghar, 34 in Khairpur Mirs’, and 38 in Naushehroferoz district are illegal.
The authority is set to get the builders booked in the cases if they failed to pursue the regularization process.
Also, the utility companies such as Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), HESCO, and SEPCO have been communicated for not allowing these schemes to get their facilities. – ERMD

PIDE generating ideas, policy debate through PIDEAS

on 09/01/2023

Under the initiative of PIDEAS (PIDE IDEAS), Research for Social Transformation and Advancement (RASTA) program is producing documentary films based on the evidence-based research produced at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) on pertaining public policy issues. In this regard, PIDE-RASTA has organized a documentary film screening event at the Islamabad Club. This was the first session in the documentary film series.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiative Professor Ahsan Iqbal graced the event as the Chief Guest and acknowledged the role of PIDE in generating policy-informed debates on these critical yet neglected topics.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal also highlighted the significant role of the current government for youth by encouraging innovative ideas, providing opportunities, and creating an enabling environment for distinctive skills. The Youth Affairs Wing is playing an active and assertive role in materializing these objectives
The event was attended by relevant stakeholders, including academicians, policymakers, practitioners, development partners, civil society, and public and private sector representatives. “Research without debate is useless,” said Dr. Nadeem UlHaque, Vice Chancellor, PIDE. “PIDEAS initiative will help us to generate and disseminate research-based ideas, inform policy debate, and suggest actionable solutions for change and growth in Pakistan,” he added further.
The visual format has always remained one of the most engaging and key conversational tools for producing research, and in the wake of using this as an instrument for knowledge production and dissemination. Therefore, three films were screened at the event: Rethinking Urban Mobility in Pakistan based on PIDE research titled ‘Rethinking mobility (urban transport policy) in Pakistan’; An Unending Wait for Car: Own Money based on PIDE research titled ‘The Issue of Own Money’; and No Country for the Youth based on PIDE research titled ‘Opportunity to Excel: Now and the Future.
Mr. Muhammad AfnanAlam, Deputy Director General (Land & Estate), CDA led the debate on urban mobility in the context of Islamabad. The research-based film suggests that cities are the engine of growth because cities are where development and innovation happen. In addition, labor force, industries, and economic corridors exist in cities. For an effective transport and urban mobility policy, we need to highlight the areas of population, employment, densification, and intensification around our cities, followed by linking all these corridors with one another.
Mr. Razi-ur-Rahman, Group Director, Corporate Affairs of Atlas Group & CEO APL shared his views about Car Own Money. The research-based film suggests to eliminate the own money premium, the booking culture needs to be demolished. No vehicle can be sold or booked that has not been manufactured and is not available at the dealership. Furthermore, the supply needs to be increased through increased production by local manufacturers/assemblers and allowing selective imports of vehicles.
Ahmad Iqbal, Former Mayor of District Norowal was the speaker in the youth documentary. The research-based film suggests that Pakistan currently has the largest percentage of young people ever recorded in its history; more than 50 percent of the population in Pakistan are youth. The documentary highlighted the issues of youth unemployment, lack of opportunities, housing provision, and soft skills in Pakistan.
Earlier, PIDE’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dr. DurreNayab, in her welcoming remarks, said that through PIDEAS initiative, PIDE is stimulating content creators and filmmakers to articulate their artistic expressions and bringing research and policy closer to people.
According to the Press Release issued at the event, it was stated that the intent is to debate pressing public policy issues and facilitate engagements between different stakeholders to typify the issues of socio-economic significance, cross-fertilize ideas through knowledge sharing, and prescribe actionable ways forward.
Considering the overwhelming response from the audience and policy circles, we intend to continue such initiatives in the future, bringing policy closer to the people, and building the art-research-practice nexus in Pakistan, said Dr. Faheem Jehangir, Project Director of RASTA.
These films will be available on PIDE’s social media platforms soon for broader dissemination. — PR

SBP restrictions force shutdown of switchgear industry 200 manufacturers businesses, housands of jobs at stake: PEPMA

on 09/01/2023

The switchgear industry is in deep trouble due to the negligence of government authorities, the State Bank of Pakistan, and the Finance Ministry by restricting the import of raw material components and sub-components in chapter 85 (Subheading Especially 8535 & 8536 and others) and clearance of shipments at the port since last 3 months and constant currency depreciation, around 200 manufacturers businesses and thousands of employee jobs are on stake due to non-seriousness of authorities.
Pakistan Electrical Panel Manufacturers Association (PEPMA) highlighted that the switchgear industry is an integral part of the export industry, power energy and utility sector, local industry, and infrastructure of the country and its raw material is not luxury items, stopping this raw material will also restrict whole industry.
The industry directly or indirectly linked with switchgear manufacturers are NTDC, DISCOs, Government entities, Private Sector customers like Textile, Cement, Sugar, Rice, Floor, Ghee/Oil, Automobile, Steel Furnace, Rerolling, Healthcare, IT, Energy sector, etc.
This is much serious issue and PEPMA humbly requested the authorities to open the import with a smooth process of switchgear raw material items from immediate effect.
PEPMA is available for the future strategy to authorities for the establishment of a local manufacturing strategy of a similar item to reduce the import bill of the country. – PR

Meet the personality: IEEEP Hyderabad comes up with a new program

on 09/01/2023

IEEEP Local Centre Hyderabad organized “Meet The Personality Program” in Mehran University Jamshoro Senate Hall with Engr. Prof. Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi President, IEEEP, traveled from Lahore as the Chief Guest. Engr. Prof. Dr. MA Uqaili Chairman, IEEEP Local Centre presided over the meeting.
Engr. Prof. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan Rajput Ex Vice Chancellor Mehran University and Engr. Asif Siddiqui Ex-Chairman KLC were the two celebrities of the profession who were invited to participate in the launching of the inaugural session of the new event introduced by IEEEP Local Centre under the title “Meet The Personality”. Engr. GR Bhatti Vice President of South IEEEP and several other eminent engineers from Karachi, Hyderabad, and other parts of Sindh participated in the event, the first of its kind initiated by IEEEP.
A volunteer Fatima Nayab recited from Holy Quran and later offered prayers for the flood victims and early rehabilitation of the affected people. Condolence reference was held in memory of late engineers Engr. STH Naqvi Former President IEEEP and Engr. Moosa Mir Bahar CEO (R) SEPCO and Fatiha were offered for the departed souls.
The house was informed that after the meeting continuous efforts have been made by the local center on the Membership Campaign, an Appeal for the donation of a book for its library, and also an Appeal for tree plantation in the last three months. The house was informed that a new innovative program under the title “Meet the Personality” is being launched which is the first ever of its kind being introduced by IEEEP where the country’s most celebrated engineers will be invited to interact with members of the institutions and to share their valuable views, particularly for the benefit of the younger generation. In this context, to start with we have invited Honorable Prof. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan Rajput Former VC MUET, and Honorable Engr. Asif Siddiqui Ex-Chairman IEEEP KLC. Engr. Prof. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan Rajput is a Ph.D. from the USA and MSC in Electrical Engineering from the UK. He is also a former Chairman of the Charter of Inspection and Evolution Committee Govt of Sindh.
Engr. Asif Siddiqui is a former chairman of IEEEP KLC graduated in Electrical Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University in 1969 and later did his MSC from Oklahoma State University Stillwater USA in 1976. He served KESC and later established his own company General Electro Mecanique (Pvt) Ltd and currently is MD of Sigma Ventures he is actively associated with Rotary Club Karachi.
Another event of great significance in the proceedings was to pay glowing tribute and congratulations to Engr. Prof. Dr. Bs Chowdhry on being conferred the highest Civil Award of Sitara-i- Imtiaz by GOP, which is a matter of great pride and honor for the IEEEP, IEEEP Local Centre, and Mehran University.
Engr. Prof. Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan Rajput addressed the engineers, faculty members of MUET, and members of IEEEP. He recalled a long cherished history as to how the Mehran university starting from scratch has now become one of the leading engineering universities in the country and has attained a significant ranking and is now well known the world over. He informed that initially, he had started his career at WAPDA but soon later joined the then Sindh University Engineering College Jamshoro. He worked with great passion and enthusiasm with the help of his colleagues the team develop the institution to its present status. He particularly appreciated and mentioned the services rendered by Engr. Prof. Dr. MA Uqaili and Engr. Prof. Dr. BS Chowdhry in this regard. He also acknowledged the patronage of Engr. Prof. Dr. SM Qureshi, Engr. Prof. Dr. Abdul Qudus Alvi and Engr. Prof. Dr. Abdul Ahad Abro and others. He also recalled the memorable visit of Former President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf in 2003. He stated that the university made long sustained efforts in succeeding to gain scholarships for its teachers and students abroad. He congratulated the institution to initiate such a meaningful program where the most experienced engineers can interact with members of the institutions and share their lifelong experiences. His speech was applauded and was given standing ovation.
Engr. Asif Siddiqui expressed that he had made his career with long sustained struggle and without any financial support he managed to seek his postgraduation from the USA by doing small jobs to meet the expenses. Despite all the difficulty he faced he succeeded to complete his masters and returned to Pakistan. He had left KESC services and started his own business house by establishing a firm named General Electro Mechanic (Pvt) Ltd which over the years was one of the most successful construction companies in the field. Currently, he is the MD of Sigma Ventures. He remains associated with IEEEP since 1994 and was a Chairman of KLC from 2014- 2017. He advised young engineers to learn and work on entrepreneurship and serve the profession. He believed that IEEEP is a great forum that can serve the cause of professional engineers effectively and he stated that I fully support the endeavors undertaken by IEEEP and particularly KLC and HLC. His speech was applauded and given standing ovation.
Engr. Prof. Dr. M.A Uquaili Chairman of IEEEP Local Centre In his presidential address welcomed the participants and thanked Engr. Prof. Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi President IEEEP to grace the occasion as Chief Guest.
Engr. Prof. Dr. MA Uqaili paid rich tributes to Engr. Prof. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan Rajput former VC MUET. He expressed that such a short time is not enough to eulogize the feats and deeds of the legend. He also praised Engr. Asif Siddiqui for his remarkable services for IEEEP KLC. He thanked both the celebrities to accept the Local Centre’s invitation to participate in the inaugural event of “Meet the Personality Program”. He also congratulated Engr. Prof. Dr. Bs Chowdhry on being conferred the Civil award of Sitara-I-Imtiaz by GoP.
He informed that Dr. Bhawani is a 3rd recipient in Mehran University who has been conferred with the prestigious award.
Engr. Dr. Prof. Suhail Aftab Qureshi President of IEEEP in his speech lauded the efforts of Engr. Prof. Dr. M A Uqaili, Engr. Prof. Dr. BS Chowdhry and Engr. Prof. Dr. Abdul Sattar Larik in their noble campaign to raise the level of Local Centre to reach a formidable position. He offered his sincere sorrow and grief for the flood victims and he also offered institutions services and contributions for the flood affectees
He expressed that It is indeed a great honor for him to be invited to participate in the inaugural Meet The Personality Program, which is the first ever to be launched by an IEEEP Local center which is a unique opportunity to invite the celebrated professional engineers of the country to interact with the community particularly with our younger generation.
It is hoped that this new program will promote the cause of IEEEP and will be emulated by other centres as well. He said that Engr. Prof. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Rajput is a well known personality who has immensely contributed to the noble cause of engineering education over a long period of time. His remarkable achievements for Mehran University are worth great acknowledgment. We are grateful today he has spared his precious time for the institution. I am told that he is one of the pioneers of the Establishment of the IEEEP local center in Hyderabad way back in 1992, which is another landmark.
About Engr. Asif Siddiqui, he stated that he is a legendary personality who has served IEEEP Karachi Centre over a long period of time. He remained Chairman of IEEEP Karachi Centre and successfully organized a series of symposiums and Seminars over the past many many years. I am grateful today he has spared his precious time to participate in the new innovative IEEEP Program. I wish that he continues to guide, help and support IEEEP Local Centre Hyderabad with his vast experience and resources. Regarding Engr. Prof. Dr. Bs Chowdhry he expressed that On behalf of the IEEEP Central Council and my own I sincerely wish to congratulate Engr. Prof. Dr. B.S. Chowdhry on conferring Prestigious Civil Award of Sitara-I-Imtiaz which is a matter of great honor and pride for the institution and pray for his continued success. The legend is a great inspiration for the community of engineers.
He congratulated the Chairman and other office bearers of the IEEEP local center for their continued efforts to serve the noble cause of the institution. – PR

WB to support initiaves for farmers, Karachi’s damaged road network, drainage

on 09/01/2023

The World Bank will provide US$323 million to the Sindh government for farmers in Sindh who have been affected as a result of the devastion caused by the floods in the province.
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, in a meeting with World Bank’s Country Director Najy Benhassine, said that he has prepared a scheme worth Rs30 billion to provide subsidies in the heads of fertilizer and certified seed.
“We have to revive our flooded agro-industry by giving them some incentives,” he said, adding that farmers were not in a position to purchase certified seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs.
To kick-start the project, a special unit would be established under the chief secretary.
During the meeting, CM Murad said that he has already deputed teams to clear water from the flooded towns and villages.
“The dewatering process is in progress and hopefully within one and half months water would be evacuated,” he said, adding that construction of houses will begin once water is disposed of.
CM Murad added ahead of the arrival of the winter season, housing arrangements would be required for the people impacted by floods and urged the world bank to finance the housing project.
Following thorough discussions and deliberations, the chief minister and World Bank’s Benhassine decided to launch the project.
The provincial chief secretary would be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the unit with the support of the public and private sector, after which construction of the houses will start. A survey to assess requirements for the housing project is currently underway.
Another project to repair Karachi’s damaged road network and drainage system will also be undertaken for which CM Murad proposed receiving an Rs13 billion investment; however, the World Bank has committed Rs6 billion, while the remaining amount of Rs7 billion will be arranged by Sindh government from other sources.
To overhaul the sewerage system, the Sindh government has also worked out an Rs25 billion scheme, which the World Bank agreed to finance through the Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) project.
During the meeting, CM Murad also deliberated on the project of reconstructing the Jam Sadiq Bridge or a parallel bridge. Both the World Bank and the provincial government’s teams agreed to discuss the project in a meeting scheduled to be held next week. — ERMD