Construction industry: Engineering bodies reject CIDB establishment

LAHORE: The engineering bodies of Pakistan on Thursday rejected the suggestion of setting up the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) 2020, which was recently announced by the Prime Minister under the relief package for the construction industry.

Amir Zamir Khan, who is secretary general of the Institution of Engineers Pakistan (IEP), along with other members and engineers told a press conference that the government had announced CIDB for the construction industry without taking any advice or consultancy from the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC).

“After the establishment of CIDB, the other ‘constitutional regulatory organisations’ will automatically become non-functional as the government is establishing the board parallel to the council.”

Khan alleged that PTI Vice President Arshad Dad is misleading PM through the Contractors Association of Pakistan (CAP) over this issue, adding, “The board is being constituted by taking the suggestions of only 253 contractors, whereas 80,000 contractors are working across Pakistan.”

“Why only the association of 253 contractors is being given importance in terms of getting suggestions for the establishment of board.” Khan questioned.

He further said after the 18^th constitutional amendment the infrastructure work rests with the provinces.

“The regulators have been intentionally ignored in the board’s bill [draft] and with the passing of this bill, PEC and other regulatory institutions would come to an end. The bureaucracy has been included in CIDB members.”

According to the Washington Accord (an international agreement among the bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programmes), the task of training lies with the institutions of engineers.

“However, PM doesn’t have this information. In the presence of all other institutions the establishment of CIDB is useless,” The IEP office-bearer noted.

He added if the board is constituted almost 200,000 engineers would be on roads to protest it. “This bill has been prepared upon the suggestions of Arshad Dad. PEC is a constitutional institution and in its presence formation of any other board is illegal,” Khan made it clear.

He told reporters that some contractors had attained memberships from PEC on fake certificates.

“The construction industry has a vital role in the progress of Pakistan. It is a good step by the government to give relief in taxes to this industry.”

Khan said PEC, IEP and the Pakistan Engineering Congress (PEC) have already sent their recommendations to the government.

He further said they would meet minister Asad Umar to explain this case and in case if he fails to understand the matter would be taken up with the premier.

“If that too doesn’t work, we would be protesting on roads in future,” Khan warned.