Engineering Post September 2020

Rs 5 Trillion Ravi Riverfront project can boost industries The Ravi Riverfront Ravi Riverfront will be de- Residential City, Medical Urban Development veloped in three phases. In City, Downtown, Commercial (RRFUD) project en- the initial phase, a lake cov- Hub, Urban Farms and Mis- visaged on the model of ering an area of 46 kilome- cellaneous Use City, will be Dubai has the potential to ters, six wastewater developed in the first phase change the fate of Lahore treatment plants, three bar- with Innovation City span- and industry. The project has rages and urban forest would ning over 1370 acres in the the potential to accommo- be developed during the first second phase while, the third date the whole population of three years. Development of phase, Knowledge City, Lahore. the lake will purge the Ravi Sports City and Eco City on While addressing the inau- from domestic and industrial a land area of 14000 acres guration ceremony of the Rs. waste and provide 271 bil- will be completed. A total 5 Trillion project PM Imran lion liters of water, which land area of 103,271 acres Khan said “This is the second will irrigate 75,000 acres of will be acquired from public biggest planned city after Is- land. and government control for lamabad which will create job According to sources the development of the opportunities and wealth.” Twelve new cities, including RRFUD.

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Peshawer BRT becomes operational finally Peshawar Bus Rapid Tran- the project consisted of 60 km sit (BRT) project has fi- feeder routes that would con- nally reached completion nect almost whole of Peshawar and was inaugurated by Prime to the BRT project.Peshawer Minister Imran Khan. Minister BRT is using Diesel-Electric for Defence Pervaiz Khattak, Plug-In Hybrid buses which Religious Affairs Minister Pir would help reduce the pollution Nurul Haq Qadri, KP Governor levels in the city. Shah Farman, Chief Minister According to Radio Pakistan, Mahmood Khan and senior offi- the project, built at a cost of cials attended the ceremony. Rs70 billion, is a 27.5 PM said that BRT would ad- kilometre-long corridor track dress the issue of traffic conges- with 31 stations and seven tion in Peshawar as the feeder routes stretching 62km problem at the city’s main ar- with 146 stops to facilitate tery had been resolved. Besides thousands of passengers every a main track of 27 kilometers, day. 10 Flyovers/Underpasses to be constructed on KCR tracks The Supreme Court (SC) is- through fourteen crossings,” The sued orders to the Sindh court was further informed that government to construct Rs5 billion had been allocated for underpasses and flyovers on construction of flyovers and un- Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) derpasses on ten crossings. tracks by completing the formal- “It (the construction of all 10 ities and arranging the financ- underpasses/flyovers) would take ing. six months,” the secretary of Sindh secretary transport told transport told the court which re- the court that according to the marked that the KCR had to be plan out of the 24 crossings of revived this year. KCR, underpasses/Flyovers The secretary of Railways was would be constructed on 10 cross- also warned by the court that it ings. “2,000 vehicles pass would initiate “contempt of court” through ten crossings each daily proceedings against him if the whereas no traffic passes KCR track is not cleared on time. 02

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Significant progress on Central Asia South Asia Project Engineering Post Tajikistan and Kyrgyz 6912,200 million Public Sector Development Report Republic through was reported to Programme (PSDP) for its Afghanistan to Pakistan. have been incurred continued implementation Significant progress 500KV HVDC Trans- by end June 2020. during financial year 2020- has been made on mission System project Central Asia South was approved by the Ex- Against throw- 21. forward of The parties have already Asia (CASA) transmission ecutive Committee of the 39076.800 million, signed core power agree- project envisaging laying of National Economic Coun- an allocation of Rs ments including Power Pur- 1200 kilometers transmis- cil (ECNEC) in August 3000.000 million in- chase Agreements (PPAs), sion lines for import of 2019 for implementation foreign aid of Rs 28966.00 cluding foreign aid Land possession has been 1300 Megawatt from Hydel at an estimated cost of Rs million. Against this, an es- of Rs 1500.000 million has taken and security clear- power generation from 45989.000 million including timated expenditure of Rs been provided under the ance at site is in progress. 03

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Local manufacturers need to keep up with the modern trends Engr. Asghar H Siddiqui, CEO, ElekEn Associates share his thoughts on the future of engineering sector in Pakistan with Engineering Post Asghar H Siddiqui is the to its true potential,” While com- trialization of the country he said awareness in the people about it. CEO/Principal Engineer menting on the performance of the that he is witnessing a huge num- “Many Consultancy companies and the founder of ElekEn current government he said that ber of industries being set up in in Pakistan are being managed Associates, the renowned engi- unfortunately this government Pakistan at a very fast pace. This and run by non-engineers or neering consultant company oper- has been consistently afflicted by has the potential to change the diploma holders. These people run ating in the industry since 1989. one problem or another, be it de- fate of Pakistan for the better. He these fake consultancies in a very ElekEn Associates have con- non-professional manner, fixing tributed to hundreds of local and prices and giving rise to nepo- international projects including tism,” Engr. Asghar. H Siddiqui Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, highlighted a major problem of the Education, Residential and Indus- engineering consultancy sector. He trial sectors. urged the Pakistan Engineering The CEO of this diverse consul- Council (PEC) and Association of tancy service, Engr. Asghar H Sid- Consulting Engineers of Pakistan diqui while talking to Engineering (ACEP) to look into these fake con- Post about the current economic sultancy firms and take steps on scenario said that he is very opti- war footing to keep them in check. mistic about the future of Pak- “The regulations are there but istan. He is of the view that they are not being implemented,” Pakistan is moving towards sub- he added “This malpractice has re- stantial improvements mainly be- sulted in making the young engi- cause of industrialization and neers dislike the consultancy commercialization we are going service altogether” he said. The through right now. priority of fresh engineers in Pak- During a candid conversation istan is to leave for abroad, get a exclusively with Engineering Post pleted foreign reserves, border also emphasized the fact that the government job, get a private job he said that “Pakistan is my moth- tensions with India or COVID-19. construction package offered by and if nothing works become a erland and I don’t have any plans The direction of the government is the government has the potential consultant. This has resulted in to leave it for another country so I right and will soon bear fruit. to be a game changer for the coun- deterioration of quality of consul- want Pakistan to succeed and rise While commenting on the indus- try but there is a need to create tancy firms in Pakistan and the 04

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 tancy firms in Pakistan position to guide the engi- world. Otherwise they will ing almost all aspects re- certain item be installed. and the relevant regulatory neering sector of Pakistan be overwhelmed by the new quired of an engineering The main reason for the authorities should look into into the right direction to innovations and technolo- consultant. These services client making such a de- the matter on priority help it come on par to the gies”. include IT Consulting, mand is the unreliability of basis. international engi- Electrical, Vertical locally produced products. Due to the wide range of neering commu- T r a n s p o r t a t i o n “It pains me personally to specialties of Engr. Asghar nity and the (Elevators/Escala- suggest an imported prod- H Siddiqui, his company standards followed tors), Specialized uct to a client rather than a has been able to provide by them. Engr. As- Services, Com- domestically produced services for many ghar H Siddiqui bined Cooling, product but we have to do it renowned local and inter- when asked about Heating & Power because of lack of standard- national clients. ElekEn any suggestions Generation, Heat- ization in local products. associates have worked in for the industry ing, Ventilation & We cannot suggest a sub- Pakistan with some of the said “Our industry Air-Conditioning standard product so we most prestigious compa- should try to keep (HVAC), Plumb- have to go for imported nies of the country provid- up with the inno- ing/Public Health, ones,” he said. He further ing their services for vations being in- Instrumentation added that Pakistan has establishment many insti- troduced in the & Control Engi- the potential to make high tutions including Agha market. A very neering. While re- quality products locally Khan University Hospital, common example plying to a which will be cheaper and State Bank of Pakistan, is the introduction question, Engr. As- easily available for the Metro Cash & Carry, of bus ways. Now ghar H Siddiqui client as well. If we start Emaar Pakistan, Al-Ghu- the cables are assured that all producing high-quality rair Giga, Atlas Honda, being rapidly re- the internationally products locally not only Emirates Airlines and the placed with Bus accepted stan- will the industry flourish list goes on. ways and cable dards are followed but it will also provide ben- With such a vast experi- manufacturers in the coun- ElekEn Associates offers while designing a building efit to the client saving ence under his belt Asghar try need to stay abreast of vast number of services in Pakistan unless a client money as well as precious H Siddiqui is in the right the changing trends of the under their umbrella cover- specifically demands that a time. Iran ready to join CPEC Agroup of diplomats and for- Economic Partnership in the gional effects of cooperation be- the way for regional cooperation eign relations experts from Post-Corona era” tween the two countries. During between the two neighboring the Islamic Republic of “Mashallah Shakeri”, Advisor the webinar, the Iranian diplo- countries Iran and Pakistan were brought to the Deputy Foreign Minister of mats considered the development They called for the use of the together in a webinar organized Iran and former Ambassador to of cooperation between the pri- capacity of regional economic co- by Golden Ring Economic Feder- Pakistan, and “Masoud Moham- vate sectors of the two countries operation organizations, includ- ation (GREF) in Lahore with the mad Zamani,” Senior Expert as a key factor in the expansion ing ECO, and said that the cooperation of the Embassy of the from Institute for Political and of Iran-Pakistan relations and Islamic Republic of Iran is ready Islamic Republic of Iran. The we- International Studies (IPIS) said that linking the ports of to join the China-Pakistan Eco- binar was titled “Iran-Pakistan shared their views on the re- Chabahar and Gwadar will pave nomic Corridor (CPEC). 05

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 An overview of the Industry sector’s overall performance Engineering Post Report cial sources concerned, can also be According to the available fig- ( 2.6 per cent), food, beverage and attributed to subdued demand ures, Large Scale Manufacturing tobacco (2.3 per cent), coke and pe- Quite significantly and obvi- owing to double digit inflation (LSM) had posted negative growth troleum products (17. 5 per cent), ously, the industrial sector during the year and completion of during the current year. The period pharmaceuticals (5. 4 per cent), plays an important role in first phase of the great game average growth since July 19-20 chemicals (2.3 per cent), automo- the economic development of a changer China-Pakistan Economic had remained negative, while Year biles ( 36.5 per cent), iron and steel country. It contributes almost 20 Corridor (CPEC) which resulted in on Year (YoY) growth was also pre- products (22.1 per cent) , engineer- per cent of Gross Domestic Product slowing down of infrastructure re- dominantly negative with the only ing products ( 7.1 per cent) and (GDP) and employs 24 per cent of wood products ( 5 per cent), rubber total employed labour force. products (4.3 per cent), paper and The industrial sector was envis- board (4.3 per cent and non-metal- aged to grow by 2.3 per cent on the lic mineral product (1.8 per cent). back of the manufacturing sector The mining and quarrying sector (2.5 per cent), utilities (1.5 per cent) had witnessed a contraction of 8.8 and construction (1.5 per cent). per cent as against contraction of However, the industrial sector 3.2 per cent the previous year and faced a major brunt of the COVID- target for the year at 2 per cent 19 related shutdown and depicted growth. The contraction had overall contraction of 2.6 per cent mainly occurred due to negative as compared to the previous year growth in output reported in I when ir was contracted by 2.3 per natural gas (-6.4 per cent), crude cent , according to the revise esti- oil (-10.6 per cent) and coal (-6.3 per mates. cent). Manufacturing sectoring sector Small and household manufac- acted as a drag on the overall turing was estimated to bear the growth of the industrial; sector brunt of lockdown and subsequent with decline in Large Scale Manu- lated investment in the country. positive spike during the month of shrinking in growth to 1.5 per facturing (LSM). Despite improved On supply side, rupee devalua- December 2019. The LSM sector is cent. Value addition in electricity energy supply and better security tion, important duties and taxes estimated to have contracted by as and gas generation ad distribution situation, a constant increase in levied in the federal budget 2019- much as 7.8 per cent as against posted 17. 7 per cent growth . Con- cost of working capital due to 20 had increased the cost of im- contraction of only 2.7 per cent. struction section witnessed growth twofold increase in the interest ported inputs, especially I The annualized estimates of 8.1 per cent compared to con- rate (13.25 per cent) since May automobile, electronics and phar- worked out primarily on the basis traction of 16.8 per cent during the 2018, increased the cost of produc- maceutical sectors. The pandemic of first quarter data from July last year and the target growth of tion. of COVID-19 also had intensified 2019 to March 2020, which showed 1.5 per cent primarily because of The contraction, according to the economic miseries of the industrial a decline of -5.40 per cent. Major the rise in investment in the con- information gathered from the offi- sector in the country in particular. decline has been observed in textile struction sector. 06

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ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Standardisation can help uplift switchgear manufacturers Mr. Haseeb Tariq and Mr. Muhammad Haris from Tariq Electric (Pvt) Ltd explaining the ground realities Mr. Haseeb Tariq, CEO and phase so the economic outlook Mr Muhammad Haris, Di- might be slow but as soon as they rector Tariq Electric (Pvt) reach the construction phase all Ltd had a detailed conversation the allied industries of construction with Engineering Post regarding including steel cement and others the Post COVID-19 situation in the will be stimulated which will ulti- country and the expected revival of mately be beneficial for the econ- the economic and commercial activ- omy of the country,” he added. ities. While talking exclusively to While commenting on the con- Engineering Post, they said that struction package offered by the with the passage of time as the government Mr Tariq and Mr lockdowns are lifted around the Haris said that this amnesty-like world the economic situation is scheme has the potential to change starting to get better not just in the fate of the country if it is uti- Pakistan but around the world. lized properly. They added that One of the most important indica- many people don’t even understand tors for economic growth is the in- the full scope of this construction creasing price of Steel and copper package being offered by the gov- in the London Metal Exchange ernment while others are appre- (LME). This increase is principally hensive. “The government should due to the increasing demand for clarify the fine text of the construc- both the metals around the globe. tion package so that maximum Mr Tariq appreciated the steps number of people can use it for and measures taken by the govern- pharmaceutical industry to deal chanical works and has the experi- their benefit” they said. ment during the COVID-19 pan- with the pandemic situation. With ence of working on numerous Com- During the conversation Mr. demic which restricted the the passage of time the results will mercial & Industrial Projects of Tariq and Mr. Haris emphasized economy from shrinking down “The become more apparent”. National Importance. the need for standardization of results are now apparent and the Tariq Electric (Pvt) Ltd., While commenting on the mega equipment being manufactured in numbers from July are unbeliev- Founded in 1993, is one of the most construction projects initiated by Pakistan. They urged the govern- able as sales have increased,” he sophisticated switchgear manufac- the current regime, Mr Haris said ment to look into the process for the said. “The government has given turing outfits in Pakistan. The “The dams (Diamer Bhasha/ Azad Continued on page 10 huge subsidies to the textile and company specializes in electro-me- Patan) are currently in the digging 08



ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Continued from page 8 “It is often the most dif- contract at the old rate the production of standardized said that ficult task guarantee money submit- products in the country so some building for a com- ted by the company at the that domestically produced caught fire pany work- time of bidding is kept by products can be used. The due to short ing with the government as a fine. prevailing trend is that circuit. That government This leads to a lot of appre- clients and consultants pre- can only hap- is keeping hension in the companies fer imported products be- pen when in- up with the while bidding for govern- cause they believe that ferior quality ever fluctu- ment contracts. They sug- installation of local prod- cables or Pan- ating rates gested a solution for this ucts might save some els are used promotes added. of the cur- problem “Foreign currency money but would ultimately in the con- rency. If the rates should be applied in result in a drop in quality. If struction of price of dol- all the government con- the government steps and building. If lar increases tracts being floated. This the government during the time of bidding way the companies would promotes standardization the local manufacturers standardization it will not Replying to a question re- and the time of execution not have to deal with the who produce quality prod- only increase safety of garding problems being the companies have to bear problem of providing expen- ucts would benefit from it. buildings but will also help faced by the electric compa- all the loss. If the company sive products at a cheaper save human lives,” they nies they said that one of then refuses to complete the rate,” they said. 10

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ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Amazon Mall gives certificate of appreciation to Climate Control and FR Consultants (MEP) Amazon Mall appreciation from very differently to Keeping in view the fect and energy effi- lamabad, Bahria Pakistan’s first Gharana Group, the make it look like a international require- cient, the work done Grand Masjid and r a i n f o r e s t owners of Amazon rainforest in a ship. ment for rainforest ef- by Consultant and many others. These themed mall located Mall, for exceptional Climate Control - and other successful on the Grand Trunk quality of work done HVAC & Engineering projects which has Road, Rawalpindi within in the time Services was of such earned Climate Con- held a ceremony to frame of the project professional nature trol the reputation of celebrate the success- plan that they were given quality \\ project man- ful completion of the The scope of work certificates of appreci- agement and highly building and to appre- for Climate control in ciate the people who Amazon Mall in- ation. qualified technical had worked in the De- cluded complete elec- sign & Construction trical works including Climate Control staff team work in the of the mall. In the cer- CCTV, Fire alarms emony FR Consult- and all electrical serv- has worked on many market and a letter of ants and Climate ices. This was a Control - HVAC & En- unique experience for national and interna- appreciation from the gineering Services re- the company because ceived certificates of Amazon mall is built tional projects includ- state of the art Ama- ing PC Hotel Malam zon Mall Islamabad is Jabba, Metro Cash testimony to the high and Carry Safari, standards to work Karachi, Zong Head- that the company ad- quarter Building, Is- heres to. 12



ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Thriving industries make for a thriving country Mr. Mubashir Shahid, Director Shahid International share his views As the industries of Pakistan start ment is giving subsidies to other indus- starting local manufacturing of the im- stable during the three months of lock- getting back on track slowly tries as well including construction and ported circuit breakers, he said that his down but during that time no pay- after the lifting of COVID-19 textile industry. Many industries have company is working on a feasibility ments were made and no imports were lockdown, the scenario of businesses started expansion gearing up for study to initiate a project of initiated so all in all it had no effect seem to be improving every day. Mr. the increased demand of the this kind in the future. “Basi- whatsoever. Now when the imports Mubashir Shahid, Director Shahid In- future. “This is a cally at this time the market have started again the currency has ternational, one of the largest importer slow process but volume is very small which started to fluctuate,” he said. While and distributor of electrical equipment, we can see that makes setting up a manufac- suggesting a solution for this dilemma during an exclusive interview with En- things are mov- turing plant more expensive he said “The ideal solution for this is gineering Post said that with new proj- ing towards bet- than import. This also dis- that all the bulk orders of products ects coming in the market every day terment,” he courages the international should be negotiated in dollar terms. the market conditions are getting bet- said. supplier because it means So the fluctuation of Rupee does not ter. “It is true that some of these proj- While com- small customer rate have a significant affect the importer. ects are a result of backlog created menting on the after adherence to But the client now a days is smart and during the time of lockdown as imports effect of current enormous number offers such prerequisites that bind the had stopped for 3 months and every- market condi- of prerequisites as supplier,” thing had come to a halt. But now tions on the well as invest- During the exclusive interview with many new projects which will have preferences of ment.” Engineering Post, Mr Mubashir Shahid long term effects for the industry and customers Mr. During explained why the industry needs to be the economy are being initiated which M u b a s h i r the conver- strengthened on priority is providing a positive outlook for the Shahid said sation basis. “As an industry starts future.” “As buying thriving all the allied indus- Shahid International is the author- power of the tries start working as well. ized importer distributor of well-estab- c u s t o m e r In Pakistan the construction lished international brands of electrical decreases industry is being given sub- equipment. Due to their adherence to they stop sidies as well as incentives. quality and original products they have l o o k i n g This will be beneficial for obtained departmental approvals from for more than 50 allied indus- WAPDA/NTDC, NESPAK, C&W, PAK- tries. The government needs ISTAN RAILWAYS, PAK PWD and to focus on resolving the DHA. core issues which are hin- There is no doubt in the fact that the dering progress,” he said. economy of a country can only progress Mr Mubashir Shahid also only if the industries are progressing. quality products and opt for cheaper he divulged that the instability of the said that with the pace of industries During the lockdown period only the options of substandard quality. So the currency and market fluctuations post COVID-19 lockdown, the market pharmaceutical industry thrived while need is to take a holistic approach to- sometimes leads to so much difference is getting good vibes and they are ex- the whole country was locked down. wards the betterment of economy,” that the customer goes for local prod- pecting a very good future if it contin- Now after the lockdown is over. govern- While answering a question about uct. “I agree that the currency was kept ues at this pace. 14

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ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Cement sales increase by 38 percent in the country The new fiscal year started spokesman commenting on the with a sharp increase in situation said the increase in ce- the consumption of cement ment despatches last month all across the country. According gave the much-needed boost to to the data released by the All the industry after a disappoint- Pakistan Cement Manufacturers ing fiscal. He said that increas- Association (APCMA) the dis- ing trend in fuel and energy patch of cement jumped to 4.838 prices has badly impacted the million tons in July 2020 as com- freight cost and overall cost of pared to 3.512 million tons from production. the same period last year which Market experts are very opti- is a whopping 38 percent in- mistic that with the approval of crease. new construction projects in the Exports of cement registered a country the construction indus- more impressive increase of try and all its allied industries 66.14pc to 0.885m tonnes from will get the much required boost 0.533m tonnes in the same which will eventually stabilize month last year. The APCMA the economy of the country. Construction tenders approved for different locations of Lahore T enders for Zarar Shaheed spent in NA-129 to solve public Road in Cantt and Baja problem. Moreover, the develop- Line Road in Mughalpura mental projects have been com- have been approved with an es- pleted in different areas timated cost of Rs160.5 million including Basti Syedan Shah, and Rs 5.5million. Out of total Mian Mir Colony, Qasim Pura amount, a grant of Rs100 mil- and Shah Jamal while Dharma- lion would be spent in PP-158 pura, Gondi Pir, Jinnah Park while development schemes of and Ahata Molchand areas are Rs40.25 million have been allo- being uplifted and their develop- cated for PP-157. The additional ment schemes are also in the grant of Rs50.25 million will be pipelines. 16



ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Promising outlook for Information and Communication Technologies Engineering Post avenues for earnings. Report This would also help in flourishing the startup The outlook for In- environment. formation and In order to attract Communication venture capital and for- Technologies (ICT) sec- eign investment on large tor for the financial year scale, emphasis on es- 2020-21 is quite promis- tablishing software tech- ing. nology parks would be The federal govern- required along with im- ment’s strong commit- proving regulatory and ment and priority for financial policies. this important and vital Exports in IT/ITeS- sector will obviously ac- BPO are estimated to celerate the momentum have already crossed US further in digitalization, $ 3.5 billion. For still launching innovative higher growth, new services to address the areas have to be ex- local issues , and also plored, such as data-dri- availability of skilled In- ven services, formation Technologies manufacturing of smart (IT) human resources. technology components However, in order to and products etc. and sustain this accelerated high-end, ICT skilled growth trend in IT, ac- human resources cess to to high-quality .Therefore, concerted mobile broadband net- focus on software devel- works and affordable opment , software and services would be cru- IT workforce export, in- cial. This would help not country employment op- only in increasing the p o r t u n i t i e s , mobile broadband pene- e-governance for an ef- tration and data usage fective service delivery , but also go a long way in m-governance and ensuring digital inclu- smart monitoring , tech- sion of under-privileged nology incubators and segments of the society. support for entrepre- On the trade and com- neurs would help in merce side, wider usage bringing about an accel- of e-commerce and on- erated pace of growth in line business would also this sectors, the IT re- enable more people to lated official sources and reach out to new mar- experts maintained on kets as well as open new being contacted. 18

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ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Solar and Stor By Mr. Umair Nabeel, Renewable En the last four to five years, choose your own inverter massive investments in and battery which best RnD has actually con- suits your requirements. verged the entire indus- And since many inverter try to a consumer friendly and lithium-ion battery junction. Nowadays, al- OEM’s have officially most the entire solar started making a shift to- grid– tie, hybrid and off- wards strategic partner- grid inverters OEM’s and ships, you and I are good lithium-ion battery man- to go and can make our ufacturers have inter-con- homes and offices, a vir- nectivity compatibility. tual power plant (the After focusing on Even better, the systems basic definition of decen- EVs(electric vehi- have become cles) in the July simple boxed/ and August 2020 articles, enclosure like it’s time to discuss and solutions with share details on solar external con- plus storage industry, the trols and con- global market, trends, n e c t i o n s . economics and most im- Moreover, all portantly from an end these OEMs user’s view point, decen- have devel- tralized power. This in- oped in house dustry is amongst the top applications 5 key factors which gives and software’s us the chance to keep our which allow us, the con- tralized power). planet inhabitable and sumers complete control Global market news zero in on global warm- of our solar PV system, shows lithium-ion battery ing’s bullet train like ac- whether installed at prices on an averaged celerated pace we’re all home or at our workplace. scale now stand at witnessing. Hence I The boxed like systems roughly US $200/KWH started off with EVs since now save the end user a and on a cell level, the that addresses our intra lot of space and the instal- number goes further and inter city commute, lations give a neat fin- down. This trend is set to again a very critical fac- ished look, pleasing to the continue based on last ten tor. eye of course. To sum up, years of data (which saw So, let’s first look at de- the end user now has a major price falls year on centralized power. Over wide canvas of choices, year) coupled with ex- 20

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 rage Industry ergy and Environment Entrepreneur pected and projected solar industrial) in Q1 2020, journey. From two PV demand, pipeline the largest Q1 growth 145MW utility scale proj- projects and targets of ever at approximately ects connected into the both the solar industry it- 3.6GW. State level gov- national grid to approxi- self and national govern- ernments continue to mately 2.5GW ments. Soaring utility press on. (2,500MW) come mid- prices of course is also a Australia, one of the 2019, these five years and major factor from a con- few countries aggres- counting speak volumes. sumer view point. Also, as sively making the transi- Moreover, with the help of we speak, lithium-ion tion had its NSW state Tesla, the country man- batteries offer 2-3 years of government finalize and aged to install utility reusable operational life award a 720MW utility scale solar plus storage once put through recy- scale solar plus storage projects which addresses p r o j e c t their summer time “de- worth US mand response” issue, $530 mil- causing the grid to trip lion. The and end up in power dis- project will ruptions. be com- Concluding this article, pleted in I’ll leave the readers with three years some fun news which ex- time and of- poses us to a whole new fers direct learning horizon. “DIGI- and indi- CON”, a virtual online rect em- platform created by ployment to EUPD Research and cling and requalification 700 workers, full time. Consulting GmbH in process, technology for Food for thought for our partnership with IBESA which is out and about in policy makers and private for the global solar and the market, going all the sector. Rooftop solar con- storage industry, has ba- way to cell level. The tinues to be Australia’s sically taken your conven- United States, despite biggest contributor to its tional conference and their federal govern- entire solar industry. Cit- expo centers from a phys- ment’s lack of support ing a recent AEMO re- ical location to your lap- managed to tender and port, data from 2014 up top. Look it up, get the install record number of till early to mid 2019 feel and enjoy this thor- solar and storage projects shows how far the coun- oughly professional plat- in all three sectors (resi- try has come along this form, served with dential, commercial and marathon transitional excellence. 21

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 NUST to help increase efficiency of business community Mu h a m m a d strengthening of aca- industry with strong Ahmed Wa- demia-Industry link- a c a d e m i a - i n d u s t r y heed, Presi- age. linkages. dent, Islamabad The Rector and Pro- The Rector high- Chamber of Commerce Rector (Research, In- lighted the impor- & Industry along with novation and tance of strong Malik Sohail Hussain, Commercialisation) i n d u s t r y - a c a d e m i a Chief Coordinator NUST urged the busi- linkages for commer- UBG FPCCI called on ness community to cialisation of innova- Lieutenant General share their problems tive business ideas of Naweed Zaman, HI with universities so students in order to (M), (Retired) Rector, that academia could improve the industrial National University of help in improving the development and eco- Sciences & Technology productivity, efficiency nomic growth of the (NUST) to discuss the and competitiveness of country. Russians to promote Tech Education at UET Peshawar With projectile the delegation visited aims to look the Centers of Excel- for possibili- lence and attended ties for joint students, the presentation from to pave ways and dis- faculty for joint col- cuss mutual interest’s laborations in future. interest in the field of Andrey G. Fesyun research and academ- spoke that the Russ- ics through scholar- ian Government is ship, a Russian paying significant at- delegation led by the tention to the develop- Andrey G. Fesyun, ment of Science and Consul Director and Technology between Consulate General of the both countries. the Russian Federa- Such ventures would tion has met with Pro- jointly contribute to Vice Chancellor/ extend students ex- Acting Vice Chancel- change scope and lor, Prof. Dr. Qaiser strengthen the ties Ali UET Peshawar. To between the people of carry out the same, both countries. 22

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 23

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Benefits of Biofuel Energy Engr. Muhammad Nawaz Iqbal Biofuels can be cre- canthus x giganteus cre- than some only side-ef- these food crops are uti- lization. Second-age bio- ated from plants ation pathways. Connec- fossil based fects of the lized for biofuel creation fuel feedstock’s incorpo- (for example vital- tion between over the other op- real gather that food costs could rise rate explicitly developed ity crops), or from agrar- ground yield (corner to tions. Tradi- ( p r i m a r y and deficiencies may be unpalatable vitality ian, business, local, as corner lines), soil natural t i o n a l harvest) or knowledgeable about cer- crops, developed unappe- well as modern squanders carbon (X hub), and soil's biofuels are they are de- tain nations. Corn, tizing oils, agrarian and (if the waste has an or- potential for fruitful/inef- also known veloped on wheat, and sugar beet city squanders, squander ganic beginning). Inex- fective carbon sequestra- as first gen- lands which can likewise require high oils, and green growth. haustible biofuels for the tion (Y hub). Essentially, eration bio- can't be uti- agrarian contributions to All things considered, most part include contem- the higher the yield, the fuels are lized to ade- the type of composts, grain and sugar crops are porary carbon obsession, more land is usable as a those biofu- q u a t e l y which limit the ozone de- additionally utilized as for example, those that GHG alleviation instru- els produced using food develop food crops. Sec- pleting substance de- feedstock’s to second-age happen in plants or mi- ment (counting generally crops developed on arable ond-age biofuel innova- creases that can be handling advancements. croalgae through the pro- carbon rich land.) land. With this biofuel tions have been created to accomplished. Biodiesel Land use, existing bio- cedure of photosynthesis. Nonetheless, the creation age, food crops empower the utilization of delivered by trans esteri- mass businesses and per- Some contend that biofuel straightforward recom- are accordingly expressly non-food biofuel feed- fication from rapeseed oil, tinent transformation can be carbon-impartial mendation that biofuel is developed for fuel cre- stock’s due to worries to palm oil, or other plant advancements must be on the grounds that all carbon-impartial nearly ation, and nothing else. food security brought oils is likewise viewed as viewed as while assessing biomass crops sequester by definition has been The sugar, starch, or veg- about by the utilization of an original biofuel. A appropriateness of creat- carbon to a limited degree supplanted by the more etable oil got from the food crops for the creation source must not be rea- ing biomass as feedstock – fundamentally all yields nuanced suggestion that harvests is changed over of original biofuels. The sonable for human uti- for vitality. move CO2 from over the for a specific biofuel un- into biodiesel or ethanol, preoccupation of palat- ground flow to subter- dertaking to be carbon utilizing trans esterifica- able food biomass to the ranean capacity in the unbiased, the absolute tion, or yeast aging. creation of biofuels could roots and the encompass- carbon sequestered by the Though original biofuels hypothetically bring ing soil. For example, Mc- vitality yield's root frame- are produced using the about rivalry with food Calmont et al. found work must make up for sugars and vegetable oils and land utilizes for food subterranean carbon ag- all the over the ground found in arable harvests, crops. Original bioethanol gregation running from discharges (identified second era biofuels are is delivered by aging 0.42 to 3.8 tons per with this specific biofuel produced using lignocellu- plant-inferred sugars to hectare every year for venture). This incorpo- lose biomass or woody ethanol, utilizing a com- soils underneath Miscant- rates any outflows yields, horticultural de- parative procedure to that hus x giganteus vitality brought about by immedi- posits or waste plant ma- utilized in lager and wine- crops, with a mean gath- ate or backhanded land terial (from food crops production (see Ethanol ering pace of 1.84 ton use change. Numerous that have just satisfied maturation). This re- (0.74 tons per section of original biofuel ventures their food reason). The quires the utilization of land every year), or 20% are not carbon unbiased feedstock used to produce food and grain crops, for of all out collected carbon given these requests. second-age biofuels in this example, sugar stick, every year. GHG/CO2/car- Some have much higher manner either develops corn, wheat, and sugar bon antagonism for Mis- all out GHG outflows on arable terrains, yet are beet. The worry is that if 24

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ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Govt to help Wind Power producers, agreement signed The government has the WPPs in re- the WPPs on the approvals from different signed pacts with lation to the fol- basis of energy lost power firms. This docu- Wind Power Produc- lowing matters: during curtailment; ment shall not affect the ers (WPPs) in order to re- (i) WPPs’ cur- (ii) WPPs’ overdue parties’ rights and obliga- duce generation tariff. The tailment by receivables to be tions under the agree- agreement has been NTDC/ NPCC paid within agreed ments signed pursuant to signed after detailed delib- to be stopped days from the date the Government of Pak- eration and meetings with i m m e d i a t e l y hereof; (iii) future istan’s RE Policy 2006 Pakistan Wind Energy As- coupled with an invoices to be paid (such as the IA, the EPA, sociation. appropriate as per the EPA. the GoP Guarantee and The committee has of- amendment into the EPA NPMV concept to be The agreement will be- the Site Lease/ Sub- fered to help and support to remove any doubts. The amended to compensate come binding after getting Lease). 26



ENGINEERING POST September-2020 10 Chinese Companies planning further investment in Pakistan Adelegation of Chinese companies China Three Gorges leading Chi- undertaking business South Asia Investment nese companies ventures in energy, Company Ltd, China has reit- Railway erated Group Lim- their com- ited, Indus- mitment trial and to further Commer- expand cial Bank invest- of China, ment and China Ma- explore chinery En- more gineering business Corpora- opportu- tion, and nities. Following this communication, agri- China Mobile Pakistan mindset, Representa- culture, science and Limited. At the spot, tives of 10 leading technology, financial Minister for Commu- sector and industry nication Murad Saeed, called on Prime Min- Minister for Industries ister Imran Khan, Muhammad Hammad and expressed grati- Azhar, Planning Min- tude to the premier ister Asad Umar, Fi- for taking personal in- nance Advisor Dr terest in facilitating Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Chinese investors and Commerce Advisor business community Abdur Razaq Dawood, in Pakistan. Chairman Board of In- The delegation com- vestment Atif R prised representatives Bukhari, and Chair- of Power Construction man CPEC Authority Corporation of China Lt Gen (retired) Asim (Power China), China Saleem Bajwa also Road and Bridge Cor- ensured their presence poration (CRBC), to take proper advan- China Gezhouba tage of productive (Group) Pakistan, meeting. CPEC phase 2 need active role of industries and business Minister of State/Chairman Board of In- vestment (BoI), Prime Minister's Office, Atif R Bokhari while addressing the forum on Draft Framework Agreement on IC under the CPEC, organised by Project Manage- ment Unit (PMU), BoI said that that the first phase of the CPEC required the leading role of the government, while the second phase requires a 180-degree change in management and roles of actors. \"It calls for enhanced role of industrialists, the private sector, and the business community, while the government's role would only be that of a fa- cilitator by devising effective policies, laws, and efficient infrastructure, to facilitate B2B and peo- ple-to-people linkages,\" he said. He further informed that significant progress had been achieved on the SEZs development and colonization during the last few months and four SEZs; Rashakai SEZ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dhabeji SEZ in Sindh, M-3 Allama Iqbal SEZ, Punjab, and Bostan SEZ Balochistan are now in advance stage of development. 28



ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Ministry of Science & Technology’s trade related interventions Engineering Post Report gates standards, PNAC assists in try focused research and develop- services to almost entire indus- expansion of trade through ac- met is the prime impetus of the trial sector and most of the ex- Federal Ministry of Science creditation of laboratories and cer- MoST. portable products are also being and Technology (MoST) is tification bodies whereas PNSL is Pakistan Council of Scientific tested by its ISO-17025 accredited undertaking trade related responsible for traceability of and Industrial Research (PCSIR) laboratories. interventions through Pakistan metrology standards. with a network of 17 research During July 2019 to December Standards and Quality Control During financial year 2019-20, laboratories and units including 6 2020, PCSIR filed/obtained 72 Authority (PSQCA), Pakistan Na- the sources said, PNAC accredited training institutes located all over patents, developed 325 technolo- tional Accreditation Council testing and calibration laboratory the country supports industry in gies, leased out 86 technologies, (PNAC) and National Physical and and certification body in Bahrain various sectors for providing cost provided 63302 testing/ calibra- Standards laboratory (NPSL). and Qatar. Furthermore, PNAC effective technology solutions to tion services to 20400 clients, in- According to the information also received applications for ac- improve their economic perform- teracted with 3100 industries, available from MoST sources, creditation on various standards ance. prepared 410 technical reports these organizations are actively including halal accreditation from PCSIR provides services in en- and provided 788 consultancy involved in export enhancement,, countries such as Kingdom of ergy, food, advance and composite services. trade increasing and improving Saudi Arabia and Germany which material , leather, , textile, food During period under report, health and safety of consumers are currently being processed at safety and value addition, herbal PCSIR’s scientists 300 papers through mandatory and voluntary the appropriate level. medicines and products., were published and supervised standards. The sources pointedly stated in The Council laboratories are 3374 students during said period PSQCA formulates and promul- response to queries that the indus- providing testing and certification also. 30

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ENGINEERING POST September-2020 EnginEEring Mart ENGINEERING POST 32

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 EnginEEring Mart ENGINEERING POST 33

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 ICI Pakistan announced expansion The Board of Directors of results for the year ended the SPLY. ICI Pakistan Limited June 30, 2020 were an- The most fiscal reason be- has announced a fur- nounced. According to re- hind this economic slowdown ther capacity expansion of sults, ICI Pakistan PowerGen and uncertainty is the situa- Light Soda Ash at its Khewra Limited, Cirin Pharmaceuti- tion produced by Covid-19 Plant by 125,000 tonnes per cals (Private) Ltd and Nu- pandemic along with far- annum (TPA), will bring the triCo Morinaga (Private) reaching country wide lock- total installed capacity of ICI Limited, with net turnover down. This vary primary Pakistan’s Soda Ash Plant to for the year under review factors has badly affected 550,000 TPA. In the recent was Rs 55,256 million, which earnings in the later part of Board meeting, the financial was a 7 percent decrease over the year under revive. 34

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Consultant loungE ENGINEERING POST 35

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 EP Shanghai launches online “International Market – Buy from China” Jointly organized by China Elec- China: tricity Council, State Grid Cor- https://www.epchinashow.com/EP poration of China and China 20/exportmarket/eng/interna- Southern Power Grid, and co-orga- tional_market_-_buy_from_china nized by Adsale Exhibition Services List of Functions: Ltd., EP Shanghai 2020 will be held Exhibitor Functions: from 3-5 December 2020 at Shang- n Exhibits promotion: Ex- hai New International Expo Centre hibitors are able to promote their (Hall N1-N4) under the theme “New company and related exhibits, max- Infrastructure, New Technology, imizing the overseas exposure New Opportunities”. It is expected n Direct Contact: Each ex- the exhibition area will be over hibitor’s pop up page includes a “con- 55,000sqm and more than 40,000 tact us” button, which enables visitors will visit the show. overseas buyers to access the direct The epidemic situation in China contact of exhibitor. appears to have stabilized in recent n Overseas database: The huge days and the economy returns to database of overseas visitors and growth. However, as the rest of the professional overseas promotion world are still suffering from the re- strategies of EP Shanghai help ex- peated outbreak and implementing hibitors to get connected with more entry restrictions, companies do face buyers from all over the world. challenges when expanding abroad. Overseas Visitors Functions: In this challenging situation, EP n Search by Product Category: Shanghai is delighted to launch an Buyers are able to search the tar- online marketplace – “International geted equipment/services by “Prod- Market – Buy from China” on official uct Category” website, where exhibitors can pro- n Post Sourcing Request: Buyers mote their company and products to can submit their sourcing require- overseas buyers while overseas buy- ment through “International Market ers are able to access to trusted sup- – Buy from China” Platform. The or- pliers through submitting their ganizer will recommend the most sourcing request. The platform pro- suitable suppliers according to the vides opportunities to both suppliers actual needs of buyers. and buyers to connect with each n Receive Exhibit Preview e- other without boundaries and ex- newsletter: The organizer will reg- plore more business opportunities. ularly send out the latest International Market – Buy from information from “International 36

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 Market- Buy from China” Plat- to provide their products’ details, will be held from 3-5 December form and exhibitors to the over- and the organizer will arrange to 2020 at Shanghai New Interna- seas visitor database, helping upload the information on the tional Expo Center (Hall N1-N4), buyers to obtain the first hand platform. The pre-show online pro- PR China. The show official web- product information. motion has started in advance, en- site is now opened, welcome to The organizer has started a se- suring maximum exposure for browse and pre-register for early- ries of new promotional cam- exhibitors. bird privileges. paigns, and will promote the EP show confirmed to station in For more information of the fair, “International Market – Buy from Shanghai every year, which is dif- please feel free to contact Adsale China” Platform through overseas ferent from the previous on to be Exhibition Services Ltd or visit the media, chamber of commerce and held in Beijing and Shanghai rota- fair website at www.EPChi- associations. Exhibitors only have tionally. This year, EP Shanghai naShow.com Completion of ongoing Transport and Communications projects Engineering Post Report on Public-Private Partnership Pukhtoonkhwah, Merged Areas (PPP)/ Build-Own-Transfer and Gilgit-Batistan. The Federal Government (BOT) basis. Furthermore, east west re- has focused on completion As regarding strategy under- gional connectivity as well as of ongoing projects in the lining PSDP for the just com- inter-provincial connectivity important Transport and Com- menced financial year, no have also been placed on top pri- munications sector under the provincial road will be taken up ority in order to improve the Public Sector Development Pro- except for the less developed linkages aiming at enhancing in- gramme (PSDP) 2020-21, initiat- areas of Balochistan, South Pun- ternational trade as well as trade ing commercially viable projects jab, South Khyber within the country. 37

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 The struggling Automobile sector Engineering Post Report financial year particularly in March 2020. The fall was even in Automobile sector in the coun- case of two/three wheelers where try has remained in distress typically sustainable demand al- for the second consecutive ways exists for being low cost prod- year with a massive fall during ucts and most preferable mode of first three quarters of last financial transport for the masses in gen- year i.e. July 2019-March 2020. eral. Even the introduction of two The last year 2018-19 began new variants during last fiscal i.e. with imposition of ban on non-filers Suzuki Alto and Toyota Yaris by of income tax returns accompanied the passenger car sector could not with esca- sustain lating ex- the de- change mand in rate which passenger kept the car sector. industry in In case turmoil to of passen- say the ger cars, least. Re- the sales sultantly plunged the year most, by had ended as much with massive fall in production and as 70.8 per cent in the month of the sales. March 2020 to 5796 units com- Financial year 2019-20 also wit- pared to 19897 units in March FY nessed new taxes like Federal Ex- 2019. This was perhaps due to cise Duty (FED), Additional general lock down due to pandemic Customs Duty (ACD) and mini- of Corona Virus. The lockdown sit- mum value addition tax, while the uation has continued for some exchange rate was also kept esca- months towards end of financial lating. Besides, industrial fall also year 2019-20 and start of fiscal continued to grip the automobile year 2020-21 and has considerably sector with uncertainty and the been eased in July 2020 making sector was almost reduced to half the woes of the automobile sector during the period under report. worse considerably during the fore- There has been fall all over the going months. The industry will local auto industry during the last quite obviously take sometime to 38

ENGINEERING POST September-2020 recover as the COVID-19 is sales plunging down by 37.9 per being checked and brought under cent and 37.7 per cent respec- control to a great extent. During tively. During the period under re- July-March FY 2020 production port, the sales were only 23506 and sales of passenger cars had units against 37742 units sold dropped by 47.9 per cent and 46.8 during the corresponding period per cent respectively. of the last year. This decline was There was also fall in heavy attributed to increase in the commercial vehicle sector too. In prices of agricultural inputs, ab- case of trucksand buses, the pro- sence of support subsidies and duction during first three quar- halting of government tractor ters of last financial year July schemes for the farmers , which 2019-March 2020 had dropped by quite obviously added to their 45.7 per cent and 28.8 per cent woes thus badly impacting the respectively. The non-filers of in- booking of farm tractors. come tax returns may not have The two/three wheelers sector impacted here; but the work at also failed to show any growth; it certain level government had rather dropped off production and halted, so were te supplies of the sales by 12.3 per cent during trucks and the respective pay- July-March FY 2020. Still this ments, resulting in disruption of sector most preferred and eco- the chain of events at the trucking nomic means of transport and industry. best alterative in the absence of According to available figures, public transport in the cities and during July-March FY 2020, the thus holds a dependable and con- farm tractor sector also continued tinued potential growth in the to decline with production and the coming years. Chinese technicians being airlifted for CPEC projects As the threat to Corona virus southwest Sichuan province. in Pakistan decreases the These technicians will be brought construction projects have to Pakistan by a special chartered started resuming work. The tech- plane for which Civil Aviation nical teams and engineers who Agency (CAA) of Pakistan has ac- had returned to China are now corded special permission for the being airlifted back to Pakistan Air China Chartered flight CA- through special chartered flights. 555/6. As many as 270 Chinese techni- Last week 500 engineers cians to be airlifted for the Suki reached Pakistan through special Kinari hydropower project from chartered flight for resuming work Chengdu, the capital of China’s on Thar Coal Block-1. 39

Samsung to set up smartphone manufacturing plant in Pakistan Smart phone manufacturing giant Sam- announced by The Federal Minister for In- over $1.2 billion. Promotion of locally manu- sung is considering setting up a manu- dustries & Production Hammad Azhar after factured products, together with increased ex- facturing plant in Pakistan. This was he held a meeting with the MD and CEO ports, will start balancing the import bill. Samsung Pakistan. On his social media ac- count he said “Met with the Samsung Pak- istan MD and CEO. They appreciated both policies and are now actively considering set- ting up a smartphone assembly plan in Pak- istan.” The development comes after PTA’s (Pak- istan Telecommunication Authority) imple- mentation of the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS), and Mobile Policy launched recently. According to the minister, smartphone pro- duction in Pakistan is increasing exponen- tially, thanks to the implementation of new, more robust, policies. Both Samsung officials appreciated the changes and are actively con- sidering setting up a smartphone assembly unit in Pakistan. At the moment, around 14 smartphone companies are producing hand- sets in the country but most of those are fea- ture phones with 2G technology. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statis- tics, mobile-phone imports reached half a bil- lion dollars in the Jul-Nov period of 2019. At this pace, full-year imports are expected to be