ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday said that Pakistan has been successful in overcoming many complex issues, including terrorism and national economy.
Addressing an inaugural ceremony of first International Deans Conference of Engineering Institutions organised by Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), the president said that terrorism has been eradicated and the national economy is on the right track which will lead towards development and stability.
Mamnoon stated that during the last few decades, the country had to face various problems including terrorism which had a debilitating impact on the economy and increased unemployment. “This situation also affected the people associated with the profession of engineering,” he added.
The president said that progress and development of not only Pakistan and China but the entire region is linked with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He underscored that present era is an age of connectivity and its latest manifestation emerged in the shape of CPEC.
He also expressed satisfaction that Pakistan Engineering Council is cognizant of the future requirements of the country and has also charted out a strategy in order to discharge these responsibilities.
He highlighted that many countries of the world including those of Central Asia have associated many expectations with this project. Therefore, it is necessary that PEC and all other national institutions should recognise their responsibilities in this regard, he added.
President Mamnoon also pointed out that many projects have been completed after hard work and excellent planning. He stated that PEC has a huge responsibility to make sure that projects are completed flawlessly.
He stressed that it is, therefore, imperative that international standards must be kept in consideration during the development of projects. He emphasised that “if we do not succeed in improving our methods in these matters then the dream of benefitting from the opportunities like CPEC will be difficult to materialize”.
The president expressed pleasure on Pakistan’s becoming a signatory of Washington Accord last year. “It is of vital importance for the field of engineering,” he added.
Mamnoon hoped that participation in this important international forum will strengthen engineering sector in the country and will also help in further accelerating the pace of national development.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain also addressed the gathering on the occasion.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Professor Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, PEC vice chairman, Malaysian Society for Engineering and Technology Secretary-General Professor Muhammad Noor, Engineer Dr Jameel Ahmed and local and foreign experts were also present in the ceremony.
The president also gave away shields to the participants on the occasion.
