Black Shadow

Category: Engineering Bodies

  • PEC chairman announces revamping CPD program

    PEC chairman announces revamping CPD program

    Pakistan – Engineering

    Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) chairman Engr. Waseem Nazir has announced the revamping of the council’s Continuous Professional Development (CPD) program, claiming, “We shall bring its standards to the international level.”

    “Enhancing the skills and ability to perform professional work for engineers is a must,” Engr. Nazir said in a video message released by his media team. “It is a prerequisite under the PEC Act & Bylaws. It accumulates CPD points for qualifying EPC. I think we need to greatly improve it so that the capability of young engineers is enhanced.

    PEC forms ‘Coordination Committee’ with a majority of co-opted engineers as members

    “Our objective is to ensure that our engineers are skillful, competitive, and knowledgeable as they progress in their professional lives. We want to make this process equivalent to global standards. We will design a revised program, and engineers will receive it, based on international best practices.”

    Engr. Waseem Nazir visited Balochistan as part of his efforts to reform the council

    “For me, the future of engineers is more important than mere politics. Politics will not benefit engineers.”

    “We have announced a crash program under which over 30 webinars, seminars, and lectuers will be organized throughout February. Engineers should participate in these programs to raise their capabilities. We will continue the program in March as well, and by that time, the program will be revamped for the future.”

    – ER

  • ASHRAE Seminar

    ASHRAE Seminar

    Life & Fire Safety Hazards of New Refrigerants

    The ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter successfully hosted a crucial seminar on “Life & Fire Safety Hazards of New Refrigerants” on Friday, 17th January 2025, at the ASHRAE Office.  
    The seminar aimed to address the critical safety challenges associated with the adoption of new refrigerants in the HVACR industry.  
    The session was led by Tariq Moen, Founder and Director Training of the Fire Protection Association of Pakistan (FPAP), who captivated the audience with his in-depth analysis of the challenges and safety risks posed by low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. His insights provided clarity on emerging issues, industry readiness, and the steps required to enhance safety across HVACR systems.  


    Key Discussion Points and Takeaways:  
    1.      Emerging Safety Risks: The shift to low-GWP refrigerants introduces fire and toxicity risks, requiring new handling and installation practices to mitigate hazards.  
    2.      Regulatory Frameworks: A detailed discussion on compliance with international standards, including NFPA, ASHRAE, and ISO guidelines, was presented.  
    3.      Industry Readiness: The session highlighted the growing need for training programs and certifications to equip professionals for safe refrigerant use.  
    4.      Innovative Solutions: Cutting-edge fire suppression technologies and safe design strategies were explored to enhance safety in residential, commercial, and industrial HVACR applications.  
    5.      Collaborative Efforts: Attendees were encouraged to collaborate and adopt proactive approaches to create safer and sustainable HVACR systems.  
    Engaging Discussions and Industry Insights  
    The seminar provided an excellent platform for HVACR professionals, engineers, consultants, and students to exchange ideas and engage in discussions about the future of refrigerants. The interactive Q&A session allowed attendees to explore practical solutions and strategies for addressing safety risks effectively.  
    Looking Ahead  
    This seminar underlines ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter’s commitment to fostering knowledge sharing and advancing safety and sustainability within the HVACR industry. Stay tuned for upcoming events and initiatives that aim to drive progress and innovation in the sector. KARACHI: PR  

  • PSQCA Announces Formation of Mechanical National Standards Committee

    PSQCA Announces Formation of Mechanical National Standards Committee

    Pakistan – Mechanical Standards

    The Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has notified the formation of the Mechanical National Standards Committee for a three-year period, effective from January 13, 2025. Engr. Shakeel Ahmed Khan, former Chief of Mechanical and Electrical Services at Karachi Port Trust (KPT), has been appointed as the Chairman of the committee.

    The notification from the authority, which operates under the Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST), Government of Pakistan, also mentions Professor Dr. Sajid Hussain Sial, Chairman and Head of the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at Dawood University of Engineering & Technology (DUET), Karachi as vice chairman.

    According to the notification issued by the Director of Standards/Director CA, the National Standards Committee will perform its functions as per Clause 5 of the Pakistan Standards Rules 2008.

    The committee comprises 34 members, including:

    Dr. M. Rizwan Shaad, UPC Lahore
    Syed Aqeel Shah, NUST, Karachi
    Dr. Engr. Mehmood Aslam Bhutta, UET Lahore
    Dr. Bilal Zahid, NED University, Karachi
    Ashfaq Memon, Joint Technical Director, MoST
    Engr. Imran Ali, PCSIR Labs, Karachi
    Engr. K.B. Ali, CEO, EDB
    Ghulam Qasim, DG Technical, Ministry of Railways, Islamabad
    Khursheed Mohammad Farooqi, GM, PNSC
    Asif Ali Khan, Honorary Secretary, Pakistan Shipbreakers Association
    Adil Khan, PSM
    Ghulam Ali Badia
    Rana Naveed, PSM Melters Association
    Abbas Akbar Ali, PALSP
    Younus Bajwa, EKAL Surgical Industry
    Shaikh Hafiz Bilal, FPCCI
    Zulifkar Ali Dhakan, VC, NSC
    Kokab Iqbal, Chairman, CAP
    Engr. Ayaz Mirza, IEP
    The committee also includes some co-opted members.

    KARACHI: ER Report

  • ACEP: Call for Papers, Use of FIDIC Conditions of Contract for Transparency and Efficient Project Delivery

    ACEP: Call for Papers, Use of FIDIC Conditions of Contract for Transparency and Efficient Project Delivery

    The Association of Consulting Engineers Pakistan (ACEP) in collaboration with FIDIC Asia Pacific, invites professionals, consultants, engineers, architects, lawyers, contract specialists, academia, etc. to submit papers for the upcoming regional conference focused on the use of FIDIC Conditions of Contract in promoting transparency and efficiency in project delivery.  


    CONFERENCE TOPICS  
    * Overview and Application of FIDIC Contracts.  
    * Legal Framework and FIDIC Compliance.* Infrastructure Financing and Risk Management.  
    * Efficient Project Delivery Using FIDIC.  
    * Disputes, Claims, and Arbitration (Dispute Resolution Mechanisms)  
    * Country-Specific and Local Bidding Standards  
    * The Future of Engineering and Entrepreneurial Innovation  
    SUBMISSION GUIDELINES  
    ABSTRACT SUBMISSION  
    * Abstracts should be 300 words or less.  
    * Abstracts must highlight the relevance of the topic to the conference themes and its contribution to enhancing the understanding and implementation of FIDIC conditions of contract.  

    PAPER SUBMISSION  
    * Papers should be original, unpublished, and focused on one of the conference themes.  
    * The paper should be between 3000-5000 words in length, including references.  
    Abstract Deadline is January 31, 2025 and Paper Deadline is March 31, 2025

    PR

  • PEC forms ‘Coordination Committee’ with a majority of co-opted engineers as members

    PEC forms ‘Coordination Committee’ with a majority of co-opted engineers as members

    Engr. Abdul Qadir Shah & Engr. Waseem Nazir

    The Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has constituted a brand-new committee, the PEC Coordination Committee, led by Engr. Abdul Qadir Shah, the former chairman of the council and an ally of the sitting chairman, Engr. Waseem Nazir.

    Engr. Abdul Qadir Shah is also the chief of the National Engineers Association (NEA), which broke its alliance with Engr. Najeeb Haroon and aligned with Engr. Nazir in the PEC Elections of 2024.

    What is special about this committee is that it is the very first committee built on non-GB or co-opted members, regardless of the fact that the majority of the committee are former GB members.

    The committee is comprised of:

    Engr. Syed Abdul Qadir Shah, Former Chairman, PEC (Chair)

    Engr. Dr. Salim Abid Tabassum, Ex-Vice Chancellor, Namal University, Mianwali (Co-Chair)

    Engr. Ghulam Usman Babai (PEC Governing Body)

    Engr. Dr. Mansoor Ahmed Baluch (Member, PEC Governing Body)

    Engr. Uzair Khan (Ex-DG, Peshawar Development Authority)

    Engr. Dr. Khadija Qureshi (MUET, Jamshoro)

    Engr. Dr. Attiq Ahmed (Member, PEC Governing Body)

    Engr. Syed Jawad Hussain Shah

    Engr. Abdur Rehman, Additional Registrar, who is the Secretary to the Committee.

    The Chairman, Engr. Nazir, has been avoiding forming committees comprising members outside the governing body and insisted he was busy reforming the council, which he believed would consume at least three months of his tenure to complete the initial work.

    Engr. Nazir has already formed over 13 committees, all based on governing body members, except for this one. Though not all committees are functioning, important committees have already begun meeting due to the regulatory responsibilities of the council.

    The friends and foes of the chairman have been pressing him to form traditional-style committees, in which co-opted members are also included—individuals who have worked for various groups of engineers to contest and win the elections.

    Chairman Nazir has looked at the justification for forming politically motivated committees differently and resisted pressure from his allies.

    What did Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council, Waseem Nazir do in the first two months?

    KARACHI: Report ER

  • Engr. Waseem Nazir visited Balochistan as part of his efforts to reform the council

    PEC Chairman in Balochistan

    Engr. Waseem Nazir, Chairman of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), visited Balochistan the other day, according to a post on the council’s Facebook account. Engr. Nazir, who has assumed a huge agenda to reform what he believes is a council in dire need of reform, is focusing on addressing the current needs in the fields of engineering education and industry in the country.

    During his visit to Balochistan, the council said that the chairman engaged with governing body members, senior engineers, and young engineers to address the challenges faced by the engineering community in the region.

    Engr. Nazir received a warm welcome from the young engineers of Balochistan, and during his interactions with the community, he discussed pressing issues, including unemployment, a lack of internships, and professional development challenges.

    He highlighted the importance of ethics, discipline, and core values in the engineering profession besides introducing the Young Engineers National Forum (YENF), a significant PEC initiative to provide leadership roles and showcase the potential of young engineers for national development

    Engr. Waseem Nazir emphasized PEC’s proactive role in resolving key issues and supporting the engineers of Balochistan. — ER

  • Engr. Haider Ali Khan Elected President of Pakistan Engineers Forum

    Engr. Haider Ali Khan Elected President of Pakistan Engineers Forum

    Members of Pakistan Engineers Forum (PEF) all over the country have elected Engr Haider Ali Khan as President of PEF for the term 2024-2027. Engr Khan, a seasoned engineer and educator, brings a wealth of experience to the role.  
    About Engr Haider Ali Khan  
    Engr Khan held the position of President of PEF Central Punjab and contested for the seat of Vice Chairman of PEC (Punjab) in the recently held elections on August 18, 2024. His impressive track record includes being elected as a member of the PEC governing body in 2007, 2015, and 2018. He also previously served as President PEF for one term before Engineer Al Kazim Mansoor took office in 2020.  
    Background and Experience  
    Hailing from Kasur, Engr Khan studied at Govt. College Lahore and the University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, where he earned his BSc in Civil Engineering in 1990. He began his career working on projects in Saudi Aramco and later held construction management roles at ICI Pakistan Limited and Babcock & Wilcox Limited. Engr Khan has been engaged in technical and engineering education, serving as Founder Principal of the College of Engineering at Lahore Leads University since 2011.  
    Election Details  
    The Central Executive Council of PEF nominated Engr Abdul Saboor Zaman (Karachi), Engr Haider Ali Khan (Lahore), and Engr Muhammad Naeem (Peshawar) as candidates for the upcoming term. Members of PEF across Pakistan participated in the online election, which utilized a unique code for voting. Engr Haider Ali Khan emerged as the elected President. — PR  

  • PEC Invites Young Engineers to Join National Forum

    PEC Invites Young Engineers to Join National Forum

    Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) Head Office, Islamabad

    The Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has announced the establishment of a comprehensive database of Young Engineers’ associations, societies, and groups, with the goal of forming the Young Engineers National Forum (YENF).

    According to the council’s website, the forum aims to empower young engineers by offering leadership roles in technical upskilling, professional development, and capacity building. These initiatives are designed to make them more employable in both the national and international job markets.

    “Serving as the representative body for young engineers, this national professional forum will drive key initiatives, foster national integration, promote unity within the profession, and explore opportunities for the advancement of the engineering profession and its fraternity,” the website states.

    The PEC has shared a link [https://forms.gle/wjkmtCySWaoUvFnc7] and has urged young engineers to complete the form by January 20, 2025, to facilitate the early formation of the YENF platform.

    Chairman of PEC, Engineer Waseem Nazir, emphasized that the YENF will serve as the representative platform for young engineers, focusing on enhancing their capacity to meet both local and global market demands. “Our priority is to develop the skills of young engineers, preparing them for both domestic and international opportunities,” he said.

    While the council’s initiative to support young engineers is welcomed, it remains to be seen whether the concerns of young engineers regarding their representation on the governing body of the PEC will be addressed in the plan outlined by the launch of the Young Engineers National Forum.

    Before Engr. Waseem Nazir, Engr. Jawed Saleem Qureshi and Najeeb Haroon had made promises to young engineers during the PEC elections, but none of those promises were fulfilled. — ER Report

    Additionally, here is a video from the 27th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of the Pakistan Engineering Council, held in Peshawar in December 2022.

  • PEC Sindh announces a housing scheme for engineers near Hyderabad

    PEC Sindh announces a housing scheme for engineers near Hyderabad

    The Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) Sindh has announced a housing scheme under which over 1,000 plots will be offered to engineers near Hyderabad. These plots for building houses will be made available at exclusive rates to engineers registered with the PEC and employees of the PEC, according to the Agreement of Activities (AOA) signed by Vice Chairman Engr. Mukhtar Shaikh and CEO of Hamara Ghar Pvt. Ltd., Shahzeb Shunaid.

    Engr. Mukhtar Shaikh stated, “This is a gift to engineers from my side, encouraging them to review the scheme’s plan and take advantage of it.” The Police Foundation has also been offered discounted rates for plots in the same society.

    A delegation from Hamara Ghar, led by Shahzeb Shunaid, visited the PEC’s regional office in Karachi, where Engr. Mukhtar Shaikh welcomed the delegation before the signing ceremony.

    “The purpose of the AOA is to establish a collaborative framework between Hamara Ghar and PEC to provide exclusive rates for engineers registered with the PEC and PEC employees on residential plots in Sector 3A and Sector 6A of the Hamara Ghar Housing Project,” said Shaikh.

    Initially, 1,000 plots will be reserved for PEC members and employees within these sectors. Pricing for these plots will include an exclusive discount for PEC members and employees. KARACHI: ER Report

    https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YpYGvWCW2

  • 30th HVACR International Expo & Conference will be held at the Expo Center, Lahore, from April 5-7, 2025.

    30th HVACR International Expo & Conference will be held at the Expo Center, Lahore, from April 5-7, 2025.

    Rhe 30th HVACR International Expo & Conference will be held at the Expo Center, Lahore, from April 5-7, 2025.

    This event is an opportunity for businesses in the HVACR industry to showcase their products, innovations, and services to a large audience. The Pakistan HVACR Society is expecting a lot of interest from exhibitors both within Pakistan and abroad.