Hanif Gohar nominated in FPCCI committee

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Mohammad Hanif Gohar, a prominent figure in the construction industry, has been nominated as the Senior Vice Chairman of the Urban Development Standing Committee of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) for the year 2015. He had served in the same capacity with distinction last year as well.

Hanif Gohar, who was elected as the Vice Chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) in 2013-14, has been known and respected for his contribution in boosting the trade. 

He expressed the confidence that the Urban Development Standing Committee of the FPCCI will continue working proactively for the growth of the construction sector in order to create greater employment opportunities for the people.

SSUET reviews convocation arrangements

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) has made arrangements to organize its Convocation 2015 on March 14 at the Karachi Expo Centre and a meeting to review the preparations was held at the campus.

The meeting was presided over by Chancellor Engr Mohammad Adil Usman and it was attended by Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Syed Jawaid H. Rizvi, Registrar Syed Abrar Ali, chairpersons of the various departments and other concerned officials. 

The chancellor reviewed the proposals and options for the security arrangements and administrative measures and gave necessary directions for holding convocation in a peaceful manner. 

Around one thousand graduating students of the university would receive their degrees on the engineering disciplines of Computer, Electronics, Civil, Bio-Medical and Telecom besides Computer Science. 

During the meeting Chancellor Adil Usman pointed out that knowing the fact that the engineers play a pivotal role for changing the destiny of the nation, the SSUET was producing skilled engineers, well equipped with the required technical education of modern era during the last two decades. 

Meanwhile a meeting of the Board of Governors of the SSUET will be held one day prior to convocation on March 13. 

The SSUET has been growing rapidly and four new technologies, electrical engineering, software engineering, architecture and bioinformatics, were introduced within a short span of time besides six existing technologies. A new 4-storey building has been completed and the work to construct the Sir Syed Tower has already commenced.

FPCCI to back ABAD in resolving construction issues

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chairman of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and a leading entrepreneur, S M Muneer, has reckoned that the construction industry has an important role in the economic development of any country.

He said that in his next meeting with Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, he will take the ABAD representatives along and request the PM to remove the four-year old ban on new gas connections. 

He was addressing a luncheon meeting held at the ABAD House in honour of the newly elected office bearers of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI). 

He observed that ABAD has great respect in trade associations and this is officially accepted adding that the issues of housing and construction industry will be resolved from the FPCCI platform. 

S M Muneer revealed that the recent exhibition organized by the TDAP was a great success and export orders worth 1.75 billion dollars were booked while the participation by businessmen from 75 countries which also improved the image of Pakistan in the world. 

The President of the FPCCI, Mian Muhammad Adrees, disclosed that the federation has declared 2015 as the Year of Revival of Pakistan Economy and the government has also supported the view that issues can be resolved at 7% growth of the economy. 

Appreciating the role of construction industry in the economic development of the country, he said that the bureaucracy has not been able to resolve the issues and the economy could not prosper without private sector’s participation. He offered full cooperation of the FPCCI for resolution of issues of members of ABAD. 

The Patron-in-Chief of ABAD, Mohsin Sheikhani, described the law and order situation as the biggest hurdle in the development which, he thought, can be improved with the cooperation of business community. 

The Chairman of ABAD, Junaid Ashraf Taloo, emphasized on the role of construction industry in the economic development and said that the total requirement of all gas connections in Sindh including Karachi and Hyderabad was less than 1 MMCFD. 

“The summary about lifting the ban on gas connections has been awaiting action in the Prime Minister’s office for the last six months. Rs 200 billion of builders and allottees are blocked at present which could bring more revenue for the government if brought into circulation,” he remarked.  

The ABAD Chairman reminded that the construction industry was the largest employer in the cities and towns as the construction moved the wheel of many allied industries and it deserved to be given facilities and incentives. 

The Senior Vice President of FPCCI, Abdul Rahim Janoo, the Vice Chairman ABAD, Mohammad Hanif Memon, and the Regional Chairman ABAD, Mohammad Hassan Bakshi also spoke on the occasion.