Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal inaugurated the newly established Engineers’ Lounge at the Institution of Engineers Pakistan (IEP) on Sunday.

The initiative, led by Engineer Usman Farooq, aims to foster innovation, collaboration, and policy engagement among engineers nationwide. The inaugural ceremony drew a large gathering of professionals from the Pakistan Engineering Congress, Pakistan Engineering Council, Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Pakistan (IEEEP), and several other engineering bodies, as well as representatives from the engineering community across the country.

Addressing the gathering, Ahsan Iqbal announced that a comprehensive national policy was being formulated in consultation with all four provinces to counter Indian water aggression. The policy, he said, aims to effectively safeguard Pakistan’s water resources in the face of ongoing regional challenges. He further revealed plans to establish a special technical committee comprising water experts and engineers. The committee will provide technically sound recommendations to address water disputes and related challenges, ensuring informed and effective decision-making, he said.

The minister said that the committee would include presidents and representatives of major engineering institutions, enabling a coordinated and inclusive approach to national policy formulation.

Ahsan Iqbal also announced the commencement of work on the formation of a “Federation of Engineering Institutions of Pakistan”, a unified platform to bring all engineering organisations together. The proposed federation would ensure that engineers receive robust representation in national policymaking and play a more visible role in the country’s development, he added.

Highlighting the importance of engineering for national progress, he stressed the need for mobilising engineers as part of a national mission to address Pakistan’s pressing challenges. He described the Engineers’ Lounge as a symbol of forward-thinking and national unity, and shared a vision of transforming it into a National Engineering Club, a centre for training, research, mentorship, and innovation for young professionals.

Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan’s engineers were a valuable national asset, and their intelligence and hard work must be harnessed for the country’s development agenda. He assured that the government stands shoulder to shoulder with all engineering bodies in this mission.

On the occasion, IEP Secretary General Engineer Amir Zamir Khan lauded Prof. Ahsan Iqbal’s national vision and said that engineering institutions were ready to collaborate under the Planning Commission’s platform. He underscored the need for moving beyond provincial divides and working together for a united and progressive Pakistan.

Engineer Usman Farooq, the founder of the Engineers’ Lounge, said the initiative represents a vision of hope for young engineers and a platform that could contribute meaningfully to resolving national issues.