Engineers employed by the provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa receive technical allowances in recognition of their specialised skills and significant contributions to infrastructure development. However, engineers in Sindh and Balochistan continue to be excluded from similar financial benefits, fostering a sense of demotivation and inequity among these professionals. The disparity in the technical allowance for engineers is quite concerning.
In Punjab, the Finance Department issued a notification on March 6, 2024, implementing technical allowances for engineers, effective December 7, 2024. Similarly, the KP government has long been providing this allowance to its engineers, highlighting their critical role in provincial growth. These progressive measures have been vital in supporting and retaining skilled engineering professionals.
Efforts in Sindh to bridge this gap have included the Sindh Assembly’s unanimous resolution on June 12, 2024, advocating for technical allowances for engineers. Despite this significant legislative step, the provincial government has yet to implement the resolution, leaving engineers in Sindh without equitable financial recognition. The situation in Balochistan is equally concerning, as engineers in the province do not receive any technical allowances. This lack of acknowledgement affects their morale and hinders the province’s capacity to attract and retain skilled professionals crucial for sustainable development.
The governments of Sindh and Balochistan need to address this disparity and align with the standards established by the Punjab and KP governments by granting technical allowances to their engineers.
As a member of the Pakistan Engineering Council’s Governing Body, I request the Chief Ministers of Sindh and Balochistan, the PEC Chairman and other relevant authorities to ensure that engineers across these provinces are given an equitable technical allowance for their invaluable contributions to Pakistan’s progress and development.
Engr Prof Dr. Altaf Siyal
Hyderabad
