ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi emphasized the crucial role of engineering expertise in all sectors of life and highlighted the need for continuous support and recognition of the engineering community to drive the nation towards sustainable growth and prosperity. He made these remarks during the “PEC Engineers’ Excellence Award 2022” event at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

President Alvi noted the significant role Pakistani engineers had played in the development of Gulf countries in the past. He stressed that Pakistan needed more engineers across various sectors to ensure sustainable development. However, he pointed out that the country only produced 25,000 engineers annually, which fell short of the nation’s requirements. Comparatively, India produces over 1.5 million engineers each year.

Highlighting challenges in human resources, President Alvi mentioned the shortage of healthcare professionals like nurses and the alarming number of 26 million out-of-school children in Pakistan. Despite these challenges, he commended the Information Technology sector’s performance, with over 2.2 million freelancers contributing to the country’s economy.

President Alvi called for substantial resources to increase the number of engineers and address education challenges. He suggested that reforms in the taxation system could generate these resources, emphasizing the need to ensure the elite contribute their due taxes.

Regarding international affairs, President Alvi expressed concern about the atrocities on Palestinians in Gaza and called for the adoption of ethics and morality across societies to maintain global peace.

During the event, President Alvi conferred awards on Pakistani engineers in various categories, acknowledging their contributions to the country’s development. Chairman of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Muhammad Najeeb Haroon, highlighted the outstanding contributions of engineers in defense production, nuclear technology, infrastructure, agriculture, telecommunications, and various industries. He also mentioned that the PEC is now serving as a mentor and reviewer for countries like Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Kenya, Myanmar, and Central Asian Republics in joining professional forums.