CPEC Authority and accountability

on 28/01/2020

The federal government believes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority was necessary. However, the opposition parties in a recent moot rejected it if created through an ordinance.
The scope of the authority has been enhanced scope after the inclusion of socio-economic, agriculture and industrial development, and third party participation.
The authority was set through a presidential ordinance on Oct 5, 2019.
In a moot of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning and Development PML-N and PPP rejected the government’s act of setting up the CPEC Authority through the presidential ordinance. They said it was an “illegal” move and is in violation of recommendations of the parliamentary committee. The PML-N said the presidential ordinance was a “backdoor legislation.”
Additional Planning Secretary Waqarul Hassan said a retired lieutenant general had been appointed chairman of the CPEC Authority and rules for the position have been formulated. “Appointment rules for the post of chief executive officer, who will be from the Civil Service, executive directors and members [of CPEC Authority] are in process of formulation. These officials will be appointed by the prime minister,” he added.
The CPEC Authority would serve as an interface with the Chinese side for identifying new areas of cooperation and projects, besides facilitation, coordination and monitoring of CPEC-related activities.
MNA Abdul Shakoor suggested that the chairman of the CPEC Authority should be someone who could be held accountable, MNA Agha Rafiullah proposed removal of Section 12 from the Ordinance.
Section 12 reads: “Except as expressly provided in the this Ordinance, no suit prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Authority, the chairperson, CEO, Executive Director, any Member, officer, members of staff, other employee, expert, consultant or adviser of the Authority in respect of anything done or intended to be done in good faith under this Ordinance, the rules or regulations.”

Another feather in the cap Bilal Switchgear launches Type tested panels in Pakistan

on 28/01/2020

BILAL SWITCHGEAR ENGINEERING (PVT) LTD, Pakistan’s leading Engineering Company in design and manufacturing of Medium Voltage & Low Voltage Electrical Switchgears, Distribution Transformers, and HVAC, has launched a one of the best TYPE TESTED SWITCHGEAR in Pakistan and get license from ABB (Italy) to assemble their LV Type Test Panels (System Pro E Power) in the facility of BILAL® as per Latest IEC Standards.
A launching ceremony was at the factory of BILAL® and the product was also displayed during the ceremony among their other product range, i.e. MV/LV Switchgear, Busbar Trunking System (Italian) and HVAC System. Market leaders, renowned consultants, leading clients, and professionals from all over the country attended the ceremony and appreciated the state of the art product launched by BILAL® in the Pakistani Market. A detailed presentation was given by Mr. Luigi Sana who is the Global Product Manager & Area Sales Manager of ABB (Italy) followed by a keen question-answer session.
Mr. Ahmad Salman, (Director of BILAL®) while addressing the event told that BSE will now be able to provide Type Test Switchgear to local market with international standards but with competitive and attractive prices. “We have successfully completed 42 years of our services and we pursue the legacy of our late father and achieved another milestone by becoming licensed manufacturers for ABB. To assemble their Type Test Panels in BILAL®. We will make sure that the same quality of the product is produced in Pakistan which is available in Europe.” BILAL® has initiated technology transfer with ABB and will manufacture/assemble the product under the umbrella of ABB.
Apart from Type Test Switchgear, the Company has a privilege to represent many international Brands & Companies including ABB, MEGABARRE, GBE, etc., and the objective behind launching these products is to provide one window solution to our esteemed & privileged customers.
BILAL® have been progressing towards the road of excellence and bringing new advanced technology, latest equipment and modern machinery to dominate the company among the leading Switchgear Manufacturers nationwide

Fed govt urges provinces to help in water sector projects

on 28/01/2020

The federal government has sought the help of the provinces for prioritizing water sector projects in the country. Also, the Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda says the water sector projects should not be taken without reviewing the availability of funds.
The government believes any new mega Water sector project should not be inaugurated without the prior consensus of the stakeholders, proper feasibility and availability of funds.
In a moot chaired by the federal minister as regards water sector projects, it was unearthed that various projects are pending for three decades and are faced with delays resulting in cost escalation, loss of time and resultant water scarcity.
The federal minister was briefed about the completion of seven water-related projects in the current financial year (2019-20). They include Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) – I & III and six dams in Balochistan province.
RBOD I & III will flush out saline water from 2.5 million acres of land in Sindh and Balochistan and will help the provinces overcoming the issues of waterlogging and salinity”.
Vawda said the water projects inaugurated for the sake of optics were pending for the last thirty years and burdening the national exchequer.
He said, “Let us pledge not to inaugurate projects without funds availability and a defined timeline for completion.”
Vawda said that under the existing scenario, the importance of building reservoirs in the country cannot be ignored.
Keeping in view the current water situation, it will be prudent to give weight to the opinion of the professionals if we are truly committed to overcoming the issue of looming water crisis in the country, he says.
“We believe in building consensus of all stakeholders on the matter urging all provincial representatives to assist the federal government in prioritizing the projects vis-à-vis availability of funds and their long term impact on the water availability for the country.
He also said that because of the lack of funds and planning various projects have been pending more than three decades “Delay in construction of such projects has resulted in cost escalation, loss of time and water scarcity” he added.
Building water reservoirs and ensuring the availability of water is the topmost priority of the current government. He told the moot that the Ministry of water resources had 61 ongoing water sector projects while 51 new projects had been included in the water sector development portfolio.
“Keeping in view the water situation 34 out of 51 new projects are proposed for Balochistan province” he added

Formula to facilitate the unemployed Biomedical Engineers

on 28/01/2020

In the country. Most of the equipment and machines are imported from international companies. Biomedical Engineers are not getting opportunities to serve at government hospitals. Due to joblessness Biomedical Engineers are suffering from depression and anxiety.
The government of Punjab recently recruited more than one hundred and thirty Biomedical Engineers via Punjab Public Service Commission and on the contrary, no such initiative has been taken by the government of Sindh due to lack of leadership and strategy.
Keeping in view the current unfortunate scenario of Biomedical Engineers of Sindh province, government of Sindh should announce the jobs for the Biomedical Engineers of Sindh by conducting test through a proper channel such as Sindh Public Service Commission to recruit them in healthcare sector of Sindh on merit basis, so they can provide services as a service Engineer in hospitals, laboratories, research labs, and other companies. Biomedical Engineers can play a key role in the delivery of healthcare in government sectors. It is recommended to establish research centers and a regulatory department for the testing of machines and equipment being used in hospitals, and provide paid training to the fresh graduates of Biomedical Engineering. It is also proposed to install medical equipment manufacturing units in Sindh to address employment challenges faced by the Biomedical Engineers. Email: salman.abbasi@admin.muet.edu.pk

Developer Student Clubs in Pakistan

on 28/01/2020

For the very first time in Pakistan, Google took the initiative to create Developer Student Clubs. Forty two Developer leads were selected, each from a different university of Pakistan. A three days Summit was held in Islamabad where Google developers from all around the world came to meet Forty-two Pakistani DSCs. With the grace of God I, Muhammad Musharaf from MUET Shaheed Z.A Bhutto Campus Khairpur Mir’s was one of them. Throughout those three days of the summit, we were taught to make a developer’s club from our respective universities to solve local problems using applications by Google Developers. However, when Forty-two developers from every corner of Pakistan were gathered, it created an amazing environment where different ideas, startups, and rising technologies were discussed. Google developers themselves are collaborating and assisting the Forty-two leads to open Developer Student clubs in their respective universities. Inshallah very soon this initiative will play a major role in the progress of Pakistan. – Muhammad Musharaf