Sahiwal coal power plant will turn half Punjab into TB patients: Khursheed Shah

on 03/12/2017

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah has said the coal-fired power plant in Sahiwal is not environment-friendly and would turn half the population of Punjab province into Tuberculosis (TB) patients.

Shah who chaired a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting in Islamabad in the first week of November said people would die from smoke and air pollution and that would lead to registration of murder cases against the Punjab government.

“This project is a section 302 case against the government,”

Shah said and demanded that the coal-fired plant must be stuck down at the earliest. Another imported coal-based plant in Punjab The meeting was called to review overall situation regarding damages and theft in the power generation department.

Leader of the opposition in lower house of parliament said the issue of power theft would be eliminated the day correct electricity tariff is charged from the consumers. “Wapda [Water and Power Development Authority] must consider reasons behind the power theft… people will steal when they are charged five rupees instead of one,” he remarked. The PAC chief said the main reason behind electricity theft in rural areas was over-billing.

“In the Next five years, you [Wapda] will also resort to go door-to-door and beg people to buy electricity like PTCL [Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited],”

he said, adding, “But, people will not buy electricity and switch to solar energy.”

Electricity theft on the rise as summer rolls in Committee member Naveed Qamar, another PPP leader, said on the occasion that consumers were suffering due to over-billing and 90% bills were being sent without meter-reading by applying average formula.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shafqat Mehmood said electricity bills were being delivered at homes just a day before the deadline and claimed that he was also a victim of that practice.

Admitting shortcomings of the department, Water and Power Secretary Yousuf Naseem said ‘all was not well’ as complaints of over-billing and delays in bill distribution were being received. He, however, vowed that an effective system for consumer complaints will be activated within the next three months.

‘Dire consequences’ if govt. fails start Bhasha in 2018

on 02/12/2017

Chairman WAPDA warns of mounting water shortage in Pakistan

Chairman WAPDA has said that unfortunately the country has failed to undertake any major water reservoir project which has resulted in severe water shortage. He has warned of dire consequences in case the government failed to start Diamer-Bhasha dam in 2018.

Diamer-Bhasha is required to be inaugurated in 2018 otherwise it will have dire consequences for the country, he said while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources.

Also, Federal Minister for Water Resources Javed Ali Shah along with the Chairman WAPDA apprised the committee of the efforts made to complete ongoing projects within given time frame. They highlighted the problems in timely completion of the projects.

Chairman WAPDA informed the committee that, in 2016, international donors had refused to fund Diamer Bhasha dam as according to them it was in a disputed area. The total cost of the project is $14 billion and WAPDA alone cannot finance it.

He told the committee that during Shaukat Aziz tenure, the NTCD was separated from WAPDA. It was a wrong decision. Now WAPDA is generating electricity at one location while the NTDC is laying transmission line at other location.

He said that the PPIB was working on hydle power generation projects and it was required to be with WAPDA but it was working under the control of Power Division.

The committee expressed concern that the mandate of some departments like NTDC has been assigned to the Ministry of Energy after a change in nomenclature of concerned ministries which could affect their overall performance as they were interlinked with the Ministry of Water Resources.

Chairman WAPDA informed that financial close for Dasu hydel project has been achieved and the work on the project is in progress. The project will cost $4 billion to $5 billion and the World Bank has agreed to fund 20 percent cost of the project, he added.

He further said that first unit of Golan Gol will come online by December 2017 while Tarbela 4 will start power generation by February 2018.

The committee was informed of the dormancy of the water resource ministry which according to the officials has made no improvement and is like frozen in the past. No recruitment was made on important posts lying vacant.

The committee acknowledged viability of Neelum Jhelum Hydel Project and 4th Extension project of Tarbela and urged upon the need for their early completion in order to meet the requirement of electricity in Pakistan.

The committee recommended that the ministry may ensure completion of all projects within given timeframe as it had been observed that unnecessary delays escalated costs of the projects which caused huge losses to national exchequer.

Chinese firm offers 2,000 electric buses for Karachi

on 02/12/2017

A Chinese company has offered to run electric buses to address burgeoning issue of public transport in Karachi. The company intends to provide quality buses which it offers should be tested on pilot basis in the city.

If the offer is accepted, a fleet of 2000 buses will be added up to what many believe a meaningful mode of transport in the city. The project involves $600 million. Chinese company Eco-Bus led by Thomas Wang made this  said City Mayor Wasim Akhtar.

Thomas Wang said that the company would also gift two such buses that would reach the city within two months.

The buses are being sent here so that these could be tried and evaluated on the roads here and local staffers — drivers, mechanics and other related people — could be trained, he added.

Briefing the media persons after the meeting, the mayor said that situation  of the public transport in the city was pathetic and if this project, which would be evaluated and examined, was materialised, it could solve the transport issues of Karachiites to a great extent.

Akhtar said that two buses, which had been gifted by the Chinese company, would arrive in the city in a next few weeks so that these could be examined in the local conditions.He said neither these eco-friendly buses would cause the air pollution, nor would create noise pollution.

The imported fossil fuel would also not be used so precious foreign exchange could also be saved, he added.

He said that under the project over 500 stations would be established at different locations in the city where these buses could be charged. Once charged these buses could travel approximately 280 kilometres.

He said that the Chinese company had offered various proposals: they could bring in the investment and operate the buses themselves, they could work in a joint venture — with the government or the local transport — or could just sell the buses. He said that all these proposals would be examined to see which one was more beneficial for the general public.

The mayor said that all the mega cities around the globe had urban mass transit systems, but leave alone the mass transit system, here in the metropolis unfortunately did not exists a fully functional public transport system, owing to which people suffered and were forced to travel in buses and minibuses that were in dilapidated condition.

He said that the Chinese company was in contact with the government. He said that he had assured the delegation that the civic agency would extend all assistance so that this vital eco-friendly project, which could solve the transport issues of, and provide relief to, the people, could be implemented, hopefully soon.

Slump is Pakistani market is short-lived: Junaid Alam

on 26/11/2017

Launching a new business is a laborious task and making it a success is a major challenge especially in an environment like ours’. Engr. Junaid Alam who has recently launched a group of smart companies providing one window operation in HVAC field has a secret how an engineering business can be successful in a competitive market of Pakistan. Engineering Review has talked to him and here is how he responded to the questions  

Engineering Review: Tell us about your business which you have launched now?

Junaid Alam: We launched our business this year. We have been feeling that our customers should get one window operation in HVAC field. We have made Smart group of companies in which there are three major companies. One, Smart HVAC Solutions (Pvt) Ltd. which deals in equipment sales. Then, there is another company namely Smart HVAC Services (Pvt.) Ltd. which provides after sales service to the customers. It is also involved in project installation services. We have kept these companies separate to ensure quality services to the customers. Our third company or business is Smart Lubricants; not related to HVAC field. The first two companies are basically engineering companies.

ER: What kind of brand are you introducing in the market?

JA: At present we are distributing Midea, China’s commercial air-conditioning products. We sell its complete products. They include centrifugal chillers, VRF, air handlers, rooftop units, floor Standing etc.

ER: Tell us about the performance of products which are of Chinese make and having perception not up to the mark?

JA: Midea is not a new name for Pakistan market. It is present here since 2012 and maybe before that. The quality of its products has improved over the last years. It’s a quality product. It is a top of the line product in Chinese make products. It stands first or at second number in VRF international sales. As far as prices are concerned, it is not the cheapest. It is a quality product at an appropriate price and we provide it with after sales service.

ER: Is it competitive with European brands?

JA: Surely, it is because Midea products are not only in Pakistan but also cover Europe. Its VRF is being exported to the US as well as the Middle East market. Similarly, it is available in Pakistan market also. They have joint ventures and have around 8 plants around the world. Name like Carrier is also in those joint ventures. For Midea and Carrier, separate products are being made keeping in mind their respective markets.

ER: You have launched your business in an environment in which people claim Pakistan’s economy is coming down. What do you think is there any business in the market?

JA: Yes it is there. There is a potential in the market. At present our market is believed to be slow due to current political situation and it is a temporary phase. Once, the situation will be stabilized, market will turn normal. Even in the current situation, we have done good business. We have got some big projects. Looking at huge projects in Pakistan, I don’t see business in Pakistan coming down. It is improving and will improve further.

ER: How many offices you have in Pakistan and where?

JA: Our head office is in Karachi. Then we have an office in Lahore and in Islamabad as well. We have hired complete teams in sales, after sales and projects along with staff at all three offices.

ER: It means you are a complete solutions company for clients in Pakistan?

JA: Yes we are and that is our theme. Offering One Window Operation aims at achieving such an objective. Also, we are trying to improve our environment for employees who we think are the backbone of any company. We want to make our company the most preferable workplace for employees in Pakistan. We are operating in all three major cities of Pakistan and have jobs in hand in all three cities. I must mention that we have signed a 5-year operation and maintenance contract with the US Consulate Lahore. We have taken over the plant.

ER: Your services are restricted to the plants that you install or they are open for plants of other brands also?

JA: It is open for all brands equipment no matter who has installed the plant. For instance, the US Consulate Lahore has a plant of another brand but we are providing services for that. Similarly in Fatima Energy, we are providing services for the plant which does not belong to our brand.

ER: How do you view CPEC as an engineer and also as an owner of a company?

JA: I believe it is a welcome step by Chinese and Pakistani governments. You know when the trade is done, it creates opportunities. Since the route is passing through Pakistan, there would be an enormous opportunity here. I think, it has started. Very recently, Hubco set up 660 MW power plants in Karachi. KE is also setting up a 1000 MW plant at Port Qasim. They are using Midea products and subsequently providing us opportunities. Chillers being used there are of Midea. It is a beginning. I hope there are many other things which would start gradually.

ER: There is a fear that Chinese may introduce much cheaper brands in Pakistan in competition to Midea which is also their brand. Do you think it may happen here?

JA: Yes, it is happening. We have faced with tough competition and it is coming from other Chinese companies. But all depends on the quality of the product. Gradually the people are getting aware of quality of various products. Midea has already gained recognition in the market for over 4 – 5 years.

ER: Tell us about yourself? Where did you get your engineering degree from? How about your professional engineering experience?

JA: I am in this field for around two decades. I did my BE in Electronics Engineering from Dawood Engineering College. I started my job as a sales engineer in 1997 and drifted to mechanical side. Now I am running my own company.

By: Muhammad Salahuddin

HEC 15-Year Celebrations Echoed in University of Malaga, Spain

on 26/11/2017

UMA, MUET and SSUET jointly achieve another milestone by Organizing Second Edition of
“Global Conference on Wireless and Optical Communication (GCWOC’17)”
at University of Malaga, Spain

GCWOC’17 was jointly organized by University of Malaga (UMA) Spain, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, Pakistan and Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) Karachi, Pakistan with travel grant sponsorship support for Pakistani researchers by Higher Education Commission

Prof. Ramjee Parsad, Founder President, CTIF GLOBAL CAPSULE from Aarhus University Denmark-delivering keynote lecture

of Pakistan. The same troika of UMA, MUET and SSUET is successfully running International European Commission Credit Mobility Programs under Erasmus Plus.

GCWOC (Global Conference on Wireless and Optical Communication) is an International forum for researchers to exchange information regarding novel aspects of technology, application and service development within the multidisciplinary framework of Wireless and Optical Communication Technologies. GCWOC aims to facilitate a creative environment for the promotion of collaboration and knowledge transfer.

The event was held in Malaga (Spain) on September 18th to 20th, 2017 at University of Malaga by making it part of HEC 15-Years Celebrations with main slogan “Knowledge economy imperative for development”. MUET and SSUET took lead in celebrating 15-years of HEC by organizing the event in Spain.

Prof. B.S. Chowdhry, presenting souvenir to keynote speaker Dr. Jorge Blasco

The conference was chaired by Prof Rd. Javier Pocola, University of Malaga and Prof. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry, Professor & Dean Faculty of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering at MUET. The Technical Program Committee (TPC) was chaired by Prof Dr. Pablo Otero Roth, University of Malaga and Dr. Muhammad Aamir, Chairman Telecommunication Engineering at SSUET. The presence of Prof. Ramjee Prasad (Founder President, CTIF GLOBAL CAPSULE, and Aarhus University Denmark) and Prof. M. Aslam Uqaili (Vice Chancellor MUET) including three high quality keynotes lectures had enhanced the impact of GCWOC’17.

The conference program included six (6) technical sessions. Each technical session was chaired by renowned professors from universities of 04 different countries. The Technical program committee accepted only 48 papers out of 132 submissions after thorough peer reviews. Presented papers covered wide variety of research area including signal processing, Energy efficiency and power management system, Smart and mobile antennas, Circuit design for wireless systems, Wireless sensor networks, Wireless Security, Industrial applications, Optical signal processing, Optical sensors, Photonic communications system, High-speed optical communications systems and devices, Coding techniques, Optical networks etc.

These papers represented authors from Germany, Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Spain, UK, Ireland, Italy, Finland, USA, Canada, Tunisia, India, Saudi Arabia, UK, Poland, Denmark and Korea. Accepted and presented papers will be submitted for publication in Springer’s Journal (an impact factor journal) on Wireless Personal Communication which is abstracted/indexed in: Science Citation Index Expanded (SciSearch), Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition, SCOPUS, INSPEC, Google Scholar, EBSCO, CSA, Academic OneFile, ACM Digital Library, Computer Science Index, CSA Environmental Sciences, Current Contents Collections / Electronics & Telecommunications Collection, EI-Compendex, Expanded Academic, OCLC, PASCAL, SCImago, Summon by ProQuest.

The closing address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aslam Uqaili. He acknowledged all the organizers, keynote speakers and participants. He hoped that the participants will share their experience with others and further strengthen the relationship with GCWOC. He was also thankful to all the sponsors of this conference i.e. University of Malaga, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology and Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology. He also invited all the participants in the next edition of GCWOC 2018 which will be held at the same venue i.e. University of Malaga, Spain.

Prof. Muhammad Aslam Uqaili, VC MUET, delivering closing speech

 

At the end of the GCWOC’17 Conference, Dr. Aslam Uqaili, Dr. B.S. Chowdhry and Dr. Muhammad Aamir presented souvenirs to organizers of the conference from MUET and SSUET respectively. After the Conference on 21st September, the University of Malaga arranged a complementary guided tour of famous historical city of Muslims Empire “Cordoba” which was enjoyed by all participants.