Tag Archives: HEC

Federal Budget 2018-19 inflicts cut at Development 

on 07/06/2018

Salient features Budget  outlay Rs5,932.5bn from Rs5,103.88bn last year ─ a 10.6% increase
The budget hikes current expenditures and cuts development
Bank borrowing estimated at Rs1,015.3bn, roughly 2.6 times higher than last year
Defence budget experienced a 19.5pc increase from last year

The PML-N government’s newly appointed Finance Minister Miftah Ismail presented a sixth full-term budget in the National Assembly on April 27 saying the government cannot interrupt the 5.8 per cent GDP growth.

The total budgeted outlay for the year 2018-19 was set at Rs5,932.5bn from Rs5,103.88bn last year ─ a 10.6pc increase over revised figure, and a 16.2pc increase over last year’s budgeted figure.

The revised outlay for 17-18 came to Rs5,361bn.The target GDP growth rate for the upcoming fiscal year has been set at 6.2pc against FY17-18’s target of 6pc.The total tax target is Rs4,888.6bn, of which the FBR taxes comprise Rs4,435bn.

“This target will be achieved through improved tax steps and improved tax administration. The tax base is being expanded and the per cent of tax is being reduced,” the finance minister said.

The non-tax revenue target has been set at Rs1,246bn, according to a copy of the budget 18-19.The provincial share in tax revenue will be increased from Rs2,316bn to Rs2,590bn, Ismail added.

As expected, the budget hikes current expenditures and cuts development. This is the first PML-N budget to do so. The hike in current expenditures is roughly 20pc, while development expenditure has been cut 20pc.

The share of current and development expenditure respectively in the total budgetary outlay is 80.6pc and 19.4pc. Current expenditure has been estimated at Rs4,780.4bn, while development expenditure is set at Rs1,152.1bn.

Development expenditure outside the PSDP has been estimated at Rs180.2bn for FY18-19, which is 18.4pc higher than FY17-18 estimates.

Under the PSDP, Rs47bn has been allocated to the HEC, Rs37bn for basic health and Rs10bn for the PM’s Youth Programme.

The defence budget has been set at Rs1,100bn from a revised budget estimate of Rs999bn in the previous year ─ 18.5pc of the total budgeted outlay, while the PSDP has been slashed to Rs800bn for FY18-19.

Karachi package.Government announced a Rs25bn special package for development in Karachi.A large-scale desalination plant will be set up in Karachi to end the city’s water woes, Ismail said.Rs5bn will be allocated for the construction of roads, fire brigades and bridges in the coming fiscal year. Rs8bn will be set aside for expansion of the Expo Centre, he added.

 

US to help for :Pakistan’s 1st Renewable Energy Institute

on 26/03/2018

 GE appreciated for Re powering Initiative proposal

US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale said that the United States would explore the ways and means to help Pakistan for establishing its first Renewable Energy Institute.

In a meeting with Federal Minister for Power Division Awais Khan Leghari, the ambassador said that the US would also share expertise of US National Renewable Energy Laboratory to ensure working of the institute as per international standards. He said the US would also consider assisting Pakistan in the formulation of National Energy Policy and National Electricity Plan.

During the meeting the minister informed the ambassador that the government has initiated the process of interaction with all the provinces and the federating units for the formulation of Energy Policy and National Electricity Plan. In this regard the government has also decided to take into consideration various proposals of the power sector stakeholders including the service providers.

The minister appreciated the US General Electric Company for its Repowering Initiative proposal that includes conversion or rehabilitation of the existing power generation units across Pakistan. He said that he has asked the GE to be part of the process of energy policy and electricity plan so that their proposal can be materialized based on the decisions taken.

The minister underscored the need of deep cooperation between Pakistan and USA in the renewable energy sector. He said that renewable energy is the only way forward to meet the energy requirements of Pakistan.

The minister also informed the US ambassador on the progress made so far by the Power Division for establishment of the institute. He said that LUMS has also shown keen interest to house the institute, and has sent its proposal in this regard. He said that HEC and AEDB are finalizing to identify the university in Pakistan to house the institute.

The US ambassador appreciated the Power Division initiative for establishment of the institute. He also underscored enhanced cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector. He also assured to soon appoint focal person for energy in US Embassy, who will frequently interact with his counterpart at the Power Division regarding cooperation in the sector.

 

Human resource the biggest issue of Balochistan

on 11/03/2018

Pakistan lacks specialized skilled resource for CPEC: Gen. Muhammad Asghar

 A consultant of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Lt. Gen. (R) Muhammad Asghar has said lack of human resource is the biggest issue of the country especially in Balochistan, where the successive provincial governments have failed to invest in education and skill development sectors over the many years. In such a situation, he believes Balochistan will be running out of its people when CPEC related activities will be generated in the province.

Gen. Muhammad Asghar who was the guest of honor at the IEEEP All Pakistan Students Seminar in Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Jamshoro said, while talking to Engineering Review that Balochistan required a shift in its attitude otherwise no change would take place in the province.

He put forth an example from the US which according to him developed after inviting people from all over the world. Balochistan needs skilled people and unfortunately it does not have at home because of the lack of education. The manpower in Balochistan is not sufficient thus CPEC initiatives will require more people who should be invited from other provinces, he says. Besides Baloch, Balochistan houses Pakhtoon population also which will be employed will

yed but still Balochi

 

stan will be running out of men to respond to the demand of CPEC.

“Punjab’s population is reluctant to go to Balochistan due to security issues”, he said. “Also there was already a lot of potential for them in Punjab”.The lack of skilled human resource in Pakistan has forced Chinese to bring their men for the works Pakistanis are not prepared for? It seems so if one listens to Gen. Asghar. “Chinese would come for the sectors we are not skilled for”, he said claiming “But still over 60 thousand Pakistanis are working on CPEC projects in the country.”

Gen. Asghar who gave a detailed briefing on CPEC’s potential for future engineers to a houseful auditorium of the university was keen to respond to the concerns as regards Balochistan. “Balochistan is on the verge of a huge generation of activities under CPEC and now it’s up to the people of the province how they reap its benefits. Balochistan has a larger part of Pakistan’s coastline where 5 to 6 ports would be developed and all benefits are sure to go to Balochistan,” he says. “The subsequent revenue will go to Balochistan; not to Punjab. Now it is up to the people of Punjab especially youth how they get benefits.”Gen. Asghar said the HEC was making all out efforts to produce human resource—the job Pakistan should have begun with from 2007, a decade back from today. We are lagging behind and now trying to bridge the gap. Dwelling over the lacking, he revealed there were many fields in which Pakistan did not have expertise. For instance, we are going for US$8.2 billion railway project but we don’t have experts in railway engineering. While launching master course in UIT we came to know about just one PhD. in the field. Pakistan will have a series of ports right from Gwadar to Keti Bundar in Sindh but the education link is missing since we don’t have ports management and handling engineers. We now have Orange Line in Punjab but don’t have mass transit management experts.

Gen. Muhammad Asghar was sure there was huge scope for engineers in CPEC. For such a purpose, Pakistan’s universities are being linked with Chinese universities. He announced MUET would soon be the part of consortiums of engineering universities. He told the audience that over 20 thousand Pakistanis are enrolled in Chinese universities in various education programs.

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.