PEC Plans Full Digitalization By December

Pakistan Engineering Council Chairman Engineer Waseem Nazir has remarked that an e-licensing system is being introduced and that the council seeks to fully digitalize all its systems by December this year.

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• He was speaking at a consultative session on the challenges faced by the construction sector, held at a private hotel in Karachi under the Pakistan Engineering Council.
• He remarked the current 70: 30 rate adjustment formula is no longer workable.

He was speaking at a consultative session on the challenges faced by the construction sector, held at a private hotel in Karachi under the Pakistan Engineering Council. Engineers, contractors and representatives of the relevant sectors attended the session.

For context, the participants discussed in detail problems related to taxes, payments, licensing, upgrading, rate adjustment, public sector projects and other challenges facing the construction industry. KP to Establish Citizen Facilitation Centers in All Districts.

Waseem Nazir remarked the core purpose of the ongoing reforms in the PEC was to provide engineers, contractors and other professionals with faster, more transparent and easier services.

He remarked licenses, registrations, verifications and other processes would be handled online through the e-licensing and digital system.

He remarked the Pathway to Practice Program was helping fresh engineering graduates receive the title of engineer on the same day their university results are unveiled. This, he remarked, has produced it easier for them to register with PEC immediately and commence their professional careers as registered engineers without unnecessary delay.

Meanwhile, the PEC chairman remarked the council has additionally introduced the Graduate Trainee Engineers program, under which more than 2, 300 fresh engineering graduates have already received six months of practical, house-job-style training.

He remarked the program includes five months of industrial training in leading industrial organizations nationwide and one month of soft skills training at the National Defense University Islamabad. PEC additionally provides a monthly stipend of Rs50, 000 to each engineer during the program.

Waseem Nazir remarked around 18, 000 to 20, 000 engineers graduate in Pakistan every year, making it necessary to provide them with a clear and effective pathway from education to the professional field. Punjab Suspends Digital Land Record Certificates for 6 Months.

He remarked the Pathway to Practice and GTE programs were rolled out to connect young engineers with immediate registration, practical training and professional opportunities.

He remarked PEC is additionally working to create engineer registration mandatory so that every engineer produced in Pakistan is formally registered.

He continued that PEC is launching artificial intelligence-related programs to expose Pakistani engineers and students to modern technology and improve their global opportunities.

Waseem Nazir remarked the aim was not only to stop brain drain but to move towards brain gain, so that Pakistani engineers could gain experience and expertise abroad and afterwards return to contribute to national development.

He remarked PEC has additionally worked to align its systems with international standards through ISO certification. The council is improving its offices and service structure to provide better facilities to engineers and contractors.

In practice, the chairman remarked PEC has signed an agreement with NADRA to provide digital identity for engineers at the national level. He continued that, under various agreements with China, training and education opportunities are additionally being created for Pakistani engineering students.

While planning has additionally been produced for the next 10 years under which around 20 to 30 students each year could be offered free opportunities, according to him, regarding 30 students were lately sent to China. He remarked merit, transparency and equality would remain the core principles in student selection.

Chairman of CAP Syed Afzalur Rehman remarked PEC has extended the validity of contractors' licenses until August 31, 2026, but some clients are still asking for renewed PEC licenses during the work rendering process, causing difficulties for contractors.

In response, PEC Chairman Waseem Nazir remarked he had additionally received a request from CAP-KP for a further one-month extension in license validity due to delays in printing licenses. He remarked PEC would grant another one-month extension in this matter.

While the instant renewal facility has already been rolled out, allowing contractors to renew their licenses within 24 hours, he continued that PEC is introducing an e-license facility for contractors. He remarked these measures are intended to produce the licensing process faster, more transparent and more convenient. Federal Ombudsman Launches Complaint Management System, Mobile App and Website.

Syed Afzalur Rehman additionally triggered concern concerning policy problems related to contractors' upgradation and remarked their capacity should additionally be strengthened. While other categories should be given upgrade opportunities on the basis of merit and open merit, he suggested keeping the category upgradation limit up to C-2.

He additionally pointed out a challenge regarding PEC's Pakistan Standard Documents and noted that even after almost two years, the two systems had not been integrated.

He remarked international donor agencies bring their own conditions. It makes it challenging for local contractors to participate in those projects.

He remarked the current 70: 30 rate adjustment formula is no longer workable. Due to global conditions, rising import costs of construction materials, and inflation, construction costs have rose sharply. He argued that the cost adjustment ratio should be changed from 70: 30 to 90: 10.

As it had been implemented previously and payments were additionally produced on that basis by the administration, according to him, the 90: 10 formula is not a new proposal.

Afzalur Rehman additionally called on the revival of the Pakistan Institute of Construction and Contract in Lahore, saying the institution once played an significant role in standardizing rates, engineering estimates, rate adjustment and interpretation of different conditions in the construction sector. Punjab Extends Registration Deadline for Arms Dealers.

He remarked reviving PICC would benefit contractors, consultants and administration departments alike.

He additionally objected to PEC charging fees for giving opinions on different matters. According to him, anyone seeking PEC's view on the interpretation of an agreement or condition is asked to deposit Rs500, 000. Stay Connected with ProPakistani. Obtain the latest news and stories wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover.

In short, PEC Plans Full Digitalization By December is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.