The Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Pakistan (IEEEP) today issued a forceful call for a fundamental overhaul of Pakistan’s technical sector governance, demanding the immediate replacement of generalist civil servants with highly qualified engineers and domain specialists in leadership roles across ministries, regulatory bodies, and public sector agencies. This urgent plea was made during the inaugural session of the 40th Multi-topic International Symposium in Karachi, where IEEEP leadership warned that persistent mismanagement and technological stagnation in critical areas, especially energy, stem directly from a chronic absence of technically competent oversight.
IEEEP President Tahir Basharat Cheema, addressing a distinguished gathering, asserted the necessity of redefining governance boundaries. He declared that civil servants should be restricted to administrative tasks, such as district management, while technical ministries and specialised bodies must be steered by professionals possessing profound domain expertise. The current operational model, he cautioned, is neither viable nor effective.
Mr. Cheema critically assessed the structure of regulatory entities like the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) and Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). He expressed grave concern that these highly specialised institutions are not managed by professionals with relevant technical backgrounds, noting that not a single seasoned power sector practitioner is currently guiding NEPRA”s affairs.
Highlighting the detrimental impact of this systemic neglect, Mr. Cheema pointed out that Pakistan”s energy infrastructure remains technologically outdated. Distribution transformers in use date back to 1908 designs, and much of the grid infrastructure originates from the 1960s. This lack of advancement, he stated, directly results from the absence of qualified decision-makers.
He further criticised the performance of key institutions such as the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB), whose primary output, independent power producers (IPPs), has reportedly failed to satisfy stakeholders. Moreover, once-esteemed organisations like the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) are now struggling with severe financial constraints, impeding even basic operations, let alone innovation.
Mr. Cheema emphasised that the practice of appointing specialists to technical positions was established over a century ago by European administrations, yet Pakistan continues to deviate from this globally accepted norm.
In his opening address, Navid Akram Ansari, IEEEP Karachi Centre Chairman, advocated for urgent policy interventions to revitalise Pakistan’s engineering and manufacturing sectors. He urged the government to mandate public sector organisations to prioritise procurement of “Made in Pakistan” products, thereby bolstering domestic industry and encouraging investment in quality enhancement.
Mr. Ansari also called for the abolition of duties and taxes on imported raw materials for engineering industries to boost their international market competitiveness. He stressed the imperative for establishing a nationwide network of internationally accredited testing laboratories to elevate production standards.
He underscored the vital role of institutions such as the Engineering Development Board (EDB), Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in transforming engineering education and industrial output. He added that IEEEP is prepared to assist the government in strengthening academia-industry collaborations, refining engineering curricula, and advancing research and development.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor of Practice Tahir Mahmood Chaudhry, CEO of a prominent engineering consultancy, appealed to the Higher Education Commission to equip university vice-chancellors with essential administrative and financial management training. He revealed a striking statistic: only 12.4 per cent of Pakistan’s more than 250 universities possess formal placement bureaus to aid graduates in securing employment.
Professor Chaudhry described placement bureaus as crucial for bridging the gap between academia and industry, cautioning that their scarcity exacerbates graduate unemployment and hinders industrial growth.
Earlier, Engineer Imran Zafar, IEEEP Karachi Centre Honorary Secretary, announced in his welcome remarks that over 14 research papers would be presented during the symposium, covering advancements in electrical and electronics engineering, particularly within the power sector. A dedicated session focusing on reforming higher education in engineering disciplines is also scheduled, with actionable recommendations anticipated.
He informed attendees that senior officials from the Higher Education Commission and the Engineering Development Board were unable to attend the symposium due to movement restrictions in Islamabad amid heightened security arrangements.
The symposium has acutely spotlighted a critical national quandary: can Pakistan truly afford to have its most technical sectors managed by non-specialist leadership in an increasingly intricate and competitive global environment? The IEEEP”s response is unequivocal-such reform is not merely advisable; it is critically overdue.
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