Former PEC Governing Body Member Exposes Corruption and Discrimination Against Local Engineering Manufacturers

By Desk On Aug 15, 2024

Islamabad: In a shocking revelation, Dr. Zahoor Sarwar, a former member of the Governing Body of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), held an emergency press conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad on August 15. He accused the PEC of systematically shutting its doors to local engineering manufacturers and engaging in discriminatory practices that hinder their registration and growth.

Dr. Sarwar highlighted that the PEC’s policies are biased against local manufacturers, leaving them with no options for registration. This, he argued, has forced Pakistan to rely heavily on imports, exacerbating the country’s economic challenges. He emphasized that the only way to break free from this dependency is by creating and implementing supportive policies for local engineering and technology manufacturers, which the PEC management has so far refused to do.

In a startling disclosure, Dr. Sarwar also shed light on the alarming practice of buying and selling engineer licenses within the PEC, describing it as a “heinous trade.” He explained that contractors, consultants, and companies are required to register with the PEC to participate in government contracts, with an average annual registration fee ranging from 400,000 to 500,000 PKR. Over 100,000 companies are currently registered with the PEC, with a condition that each small company must employ at least two to three engineers, while larger companies must hire 15 to 20 engineers.

However, instead of providing actual employment, many companies, in collusion with certain PEC officials, have devised a system where they purchase licenses from engineers on an annual basis. The going rate for such transactions ranges from 100,000 PKR per year for civil engineers to 25,000 PKR per year for mechanical and electrical engineers. This has led to a situation where engineers, whose parents have invested heavily in their education, are being exploited, with their licenses being bought for as little as 2,000 PKR per month.

Dr. Sarwar revealed that the PEC’s management is not only aware of this unethical practice but has also created policies to perpetuate it. He pointed out that under the current system, once an engineer is registered with a company via biometric verification, they cannot resign or switch jobs for a year. This policy, he argued, is a blatant violation of basic human rights and serves to entrap engineers in an exploitative system.

In his address, Dr. Sarwar also exposed the extravagant spending of the PEC, citing billions of rupees being wasted on lavish expenses rather than being used to address critical issues like the current electricity crisis. He presented financial reports as evidence, showing that the PEC collects billions in fees annually, but these funds are squandered on luxurious stays in five-star hotels and other unnecessary expenditures.

He further criticized the PEC for failing to fulfill its mandate as a regulatory body, noting that it should be playing a pivotal role in advising the government on engineering-related matters, including electricity, gas, and water issues, as well as contracts like those with Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Instead, the council has become a hub for self-serving individuals focused on personal gain.

Dr. Sarwar called on the government to immediately audit the PEC’s finances through the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) and to allocate six reserved seats each for young and female engineers on the Governing Body. This, he argued, would ensure that the concerns of young engineers are adequately represented and addressed within the council.

With over 150,000 young engineers currently unemployed and a growing disinterest in engineering among students, Dr. Sarwar’s revelations have raised serious questions about the integrity of the PEC and its impact on the future of engineering in Pakistan. He urged the authorities to take swift action to end this corrupt system and protect the engineering profession from further decline.