KCR groundbreaking on Dec 25No one is for sure!

on 05/11/2017

A senate committee is adamant that groundbreaking of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project should be performed by December 25 and, in an attempt to make it sure the committee has warned of not tolerating unnecessary delay. The committee don’t see any hindrance in groundbreaking since it believes all institutions involved in the project are on the board. However, Pakistan Railways view it differently believing December is ambitious. Resultantly, no one knows if the KCR groundbreaking would be done on the date the committee has pushed for. The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Reform gave such directive to the Ministry of Railways and Sindh to make every effort to ensure groundbreaking of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project by December 25 this year.

Presiding over a meeting on October 9, Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi said, “This is a very important project as all institutions are on board; moreover, the project has also been included in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Why is there unnecessary delay?”

He directed the authorities concerned to arrange a meeting of the two committees workingunder the Federal Ministry of Railways and the Sindh government to discuss the right of way and encroachment issue and send recommendations to the Senate committee within 15 days. Railways Director General Planning Mazhar Ali Shah informed the committee that feasibility report and PC-1 of the project had already been approved but the framework agreement and award of commercial contract had not yet been agreed. Hence, ground-breaking of the project by December 25, 2017 seemed to be an ambitious target, he added. Responding to this, Senator Sherry Rehman expressed dissatisfaction over the railways ministry’s progress, saying if there was a will to ensure ground-breaking by the set date, then all issues could be resolved within 48 hours. Briefing the committee about the project, Sindh Transport Secretary Saeed Awan said work on clearing of encroachments standing in the way of KCR was stopped due to some unknown reasons. He said the project costing $1.9 billion was approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) in its meeting held on October 6, 2017.

Pakistan to have 60 new LPG air mix plants

on 05/11/2017

Awaran plant almost ready

Pakistan’s two gas distribution companies Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) are set to build as many as 60 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) air mix plants in Pakistan.  The objective is that the gas should be supplied to the areas which are denied of the availability of natural gas.

The decision was followed by an approval of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) which gave the go ahead for setting up LPG-air mix plants at Murree (Kurbagla, Dewal, Company Bagh and Tret), Awaran and Bella. The total cost has been estimated at Rs1,353.29 million which the gas companies will spend from their own resources.

The companies would set up 30 more air mix plants each on their respective transmission network in the areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan and backward areas of Balochistan. The setting up of the LPG-air mix plants would save these areas from the rapid deforestation in these areas.

Along with the gas companies, private sector has also been allowed to establish their own LPG-air mix plants for housing colonies provided they fulfill all codal formalities required for the purpose.

All Pakistan LPG Distributors Association has appreciated the government for approving setting up of LPG-air mix plants in different parts of the country.

Lightweight CNG cylinders

All Pakistan Compressed Natural Gas Association (APCNGA) has decided the import of new lightweight 22kg CNG cylinders and compatible kits. The association will apply with Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for the approval.

APCNGA Chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said samples were arriving from European countries and South America, which would be submitted before technical experts of OGRA for evaluation and getting approval for import of the CNG cylinders and kits in next 20 to 25 days.

The price of lightweight environment-friendly CNG cylinders and supporting kits would be determined after their samples are cleared. He is confident that a new technology will be available in country’s markets in next three to four months.

The chairman said that a number of international entrepreneurs were contacting APCNGA and showing keen interest to invest after seeing potential in CNG sector of the country.

In 2012, Pakistan was on top among CNG-user countries with 3.7 million CNG-run vehicles. He said the lightweight cylinders would have the same eight kilograms CNG filling capacity as of the old 60 kg CNG cylinders, adding that the new technology would be easy in handling and useful in fuel consumption.

“It will be cost-effective as compared to the increased prices of vehicles,”
he said.

The association is in negotiations with different foreign companies, including those from Italy and Argentine for importing the new technology and launching in Pakistani markets.

Awaran plant

Awaran almost online Households in the remote Awaran district of Balochistan are set to receive gas supply at an estimated cost of Rs.440 million, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) announced on October 9.

SSGC will commission a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-air mix plant in the district to produce gas intended for the residents.

“We have done our part of fabricating work, including pipeline connections to the households (from the point of air mix plant),”

an SSGC official said.

“Hopefully, the project will start providing gas to the households within a month or two,”

he said with the usual hint of uncertainty.

The gas utility will supply LPG to the plant via trucks (bowsers). The plant will mix air with the LPG to make it usable in the households. The company has been transmitting gas to Gwadar in Balochistan through this technology and has established two LPG-air mix plants in Noshki and Surab in Balochistan and one in Mirpurkhas, Sindh, the official added.

SSGC was developing the Awaran project from its own resources, he said, adding it was one of the 60 projects to be set up nationwide.

“Once commissioned, the Awaran LPG-air mix or synthetic natural gas (SNG) plant will provide benefit to 800 households by handling 100 million British thermal units per hour (2 mmcfd) of SNG,”

a statement issued by SSGC said.

In 2013, during an official visit to Awaran, the then prime minister announced the installation of SNG plants in various locations of Balochistan including Awaran as part of the government’s plan to supply SNG to areas far away from the distribution grid.

“The project was billed as the highest priority LPG-air mix scheme,”

the statement added.

Despite numerous challenges, SSGC and outsourced contractors have been implementing the project with determination, though its location is in one of the most under-privileged areas of Balochistan and the rocky terrain. The supply of SNG to Awaran will help raise people’s living standards by providing affordable fuel to the domestic sector and will also open new vistas for commercial activities. It would also assist in tackling deforestation in the area as well as discouraging relocation of locals in search of better prospects, it said.

What to do with PCRET?

on 05/11/2017

MoS&T, parliamentarians unable to reach consensus

Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) turns out to be yet another organization whose fate hangs in balance as the Ministry of Science and technology (MoS&T)—the mother ministry of the council—is unable to convince parliamentarians that the council should be made an autonomous body. At present PCRET is public sector organization. In a National Assembly Standing Committee moot, the participants who dwelt upon a report of a sub-committee headed by Aftab Shaban Mirani failed to reach consensus. The MoS&T has been asked to meet all stakeholders to reach a consensus on the amended draft of the Bill which will change the status of the organization. PCRET, established under the MoS&T aims to develop alternative and renewable energy technologies in the country. However, it has failed to deliver even a single project during last 16 years. Interestingly enough, the MoS&T came up with a proposal that the council should be made autonomous and that would allow it to take decisions independently viz-a-viz raise its capacity, recruitment and funds.The change, it believes would turn it into a productive organization. It argues since the council failed to deliver and it has no capacity and human resource to perform in near future, so it should be made autonomous. The move created unrest among the employees of PCRET who approached the NA committee and claimed that the move would be fatal for their future. They fear they would lose benefits and perks, including pensions, if the organization was made an autonomous body. Director General, PCRET Dr. Baqer Raza claims the lack of funds is stopping his organization from growing. He said most of the Rs.170 million the council will receive will be spent on non-development expenses like utility bills and salaries and only Rs.16 million will be spent on research and development. Raza said the council’s performance was further restricted by the lack of expert employees who have left for better jobs elsewhere and the ban on induction from the last 15 years. The ministry argued that in the new proposed bill it is mentioned that that employees of the dissolved council would be transferred to the council or they can opt to remain civil servants under the Civil Servants Act 1973. The employees who opt to remain civil servants would be entitled to all privileges and facilities of the federal government. After meeting the employees, most of the members of the committee were of the view that the fate of over 200 employees should be safeguarded. If the organization continuously failed to deliver for the last 20 years, why did the ministry not take action against non-performing officials under the government servants’ efficiency and discipline rules 1973?

Systek: Celebrating Silver Jubilee

on 01/11/2017

Systek (Private) Limited celebrated its Silver Jubilee celebrations on Saturday September 16, 2017 at Rangoonwala Community Centre, Dhoraji Colony, Karachi. Systek is the leading Research and Development based Electronic Engineering Enterprise in the private sector of Pakistan. It is one of the very few  corporate companies in the country that designs, manufactures and markets indigenously developed products.

Under the patronage and guidance of Mr. Navid Ansari, Mr.  Mahmood Hussain, Mr. Afaq Haider and Mr. Fayyaz Asghar.  The main focus of Systek’s endeavors is in the field of Power Electronics. It designs and produces products in the domains of clean-power and alternative-energy. Besides its own brand, Systek also markets products of reputed foreign brands. Systek came into being in Karachi, Pakistan, in August 1992 as a Partnership Concern. It was incorporated into a Private (Limited) Company in August 1994. Its business philosophy was to indigenously design, produce and market its own products; a feat that was rarely achieved in the country. Systek is renowned for continuous innovation and manufacturing of the state-of-the-art electronics products. Systek’s initial endeavours were in the field of telecommunication in general and EPABX systems in particular. Later on it ventured into the field of power electronics and designed and produced Line-interactive and On-line UPS systems along with other allied products, such as Solid-state Power-line Conditioners, Solar Charge Controllers, Hybrid Solar Systems, etc.For the past quarter of a century Systek has been continuously striving and coming up with its best. It made many achievements in the past years and looks forward to gaining even more in the near future. Though Systek has achieved quite a lot, yet it is brimming with determination to be the very best in whatever field it pursues. Insha Allah time will bear testimony to its rapid and persistent growth in times to come. As it says:

“At Systek, our journey has just begun!”

IEEE Karachi Section Hosted Ceremony to honor Prof BS Chowdhry

on 28/10/2017

 Recipient of Distinguished National Professor Award

IEEE Karachi Section hosted an honors ceremony to celebrate the occasion of paying accolades to Prof Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry, Dean FEECE, Mehran UET who has recently been bestowed upon Distinguished National Professor Award by HEC, Pakistan. The ceremony was attended by a large number of Engineering Professionals, IEEE ExCOM Members, Academicians, laureates and Media person. The ceremony was hosted at DHA Sunset Club, Karachi on 10th September, 2017 was one of its own kind where people attending rejoiced their feelings by expressing words of gratitude and recalled about the contribution and guidance of Dr. BS Chowdhry from his majestic aura which has shaped their character and personality.

Engr. Parkash Lohana (Past Karachi Section Chair and an Academician currently) hosted the session by Congratulating Prof Chowdhry on achieving this significant milestone. Engr Irfan Ahmed, a veteran professional of the Industry mentioned that Prof Bhawani Shankar is a role model in our society and his dedicated years of service would live in our memory. He commented about unmatched qualities Prof BS Chowdhry’s Academic Caliber, Hard work, passion, helping to others, sincerity, and patriotism. He and mentioned that Professor Chowdhry is unusually versatile and creative. Dr. Shakeel Khoja (Chairman Computer Science, IBA Karachi) shared by saying that not only Dr. BS Chowdhry has been his mentor but also possess a grandfather-like figure to hes daughters and how they enjoyed their stay at Southampton, UK during postdoc fellowship period.  We can never forget his valuable and effective suggestions during the bad times in the University.  Followed by his comments, Dr. Hyder Abbas Musavi (Dean FEST, Indus University Karachi) who has had the honor to be direct student of Dr. Bhawani in UG as well as in his PhD supervision. He shared that how he was astonished by the quick-memory recalling and expressed that this indeed is a key-point for a good teacher to remember their students with not just names but also from their roll numbers. Moreover, he also said that he is so proud of being having  worked  in supervision of Dr.  Chowdhry that on every appreciative call, he feels like his father is being praised for something worthy. More comments were followed by personalities such as Tahir Saleem (Retired Electrical Engineer), and Engr. Alam Halepoto (Retired Engineer) who have had the privilege to have spent many dozen decades with Dr. BS Chowdhry and their comments mostly reflected past-memories and life experiences.

Engr. Naval Vaswani (Director, Integrated Services Excellence),  who has also been a lifelong student of  Dr. Chowdhry expressed his feelings.  Sir Bhawani means a complete Professional who qualifies all the prerequisites of worthy award as being fundamentally a good teacher and teacher trainer, perfect communicator, a proficient administrator, a soft skills expert and an updated resource person. Adding into discussion, Dr.  Irfan Hyder (Dean, IoBM Karachi) mentioned that Dr. Chowdhry is  a having all the traits of good human being who elevated himself above the post and offered everyone  marvelous lessons of excellence. He is  a strong believer of creativity.  As simple as he appears, he gained respect wherever he stood and walked.Last but not least, Engr. Sarang Shaikh (A Young Professional and IEEE Karachi Section Treasurer) was asked if he would like to share his words of gratitude. Sarang, being a young professional himself has made a good reputation and name at IEEE both nationally and globally and his words were circled around that how he  got great pieces of advices from  Dr.  Chowdhry during his undergrad when he was a student and Dr.  Chowhdhry being Dean and how his failures were complimented by Dr. BS teachings, mentoring and his ultra-inspiration made me  to become a global contributor at IEEE and a responsible citizen.  Manzoor Shaikh, Associate Editor, Engineering Review highlighted upon contributions and dedication of Dr. Bhawani for raising academic standard of MUET and bringing so many opportunities for MUET students who have been availing many international exchange opportunities such as Erasmus Mundus and Erasmus Plus Mobility.

Dr. AS Nasir, former UN Diplomat  appreciated efforts of IEEE Karachi section to honor such a distinguished personality, who is an iconic figure, a stunning model for every one and  deserves every word of appreciation. I am honoured to share about Dr Bhawani and his accomplishment seems a journey for all those who still try to aspire for greatness.   Dr. Shahid Shaikh (Vice Chair Karachi Section and academician) also shared his experience with Dr. BS followed by Dr. Shahab Siddiqui (Secretary, Karachi Section and an academician) finally concluded the ceremony by giving note of thanks to everyone in the room.

The ceremony ended by Dr. BS Chowdhry thanking IEEE Team  with words of gratefulness and how he has been blessed by God byand supportive people surrounding him and to be able to achieve what he has in his life. Attendants were served dDinner and a group photo was taken in remembrance of theto occasion.