The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology has recommended granting a technical allowance to engineers across Pakistan, addressing a long-standing demand from the professional community.
During a recent meeting, the committee endorsed the proposal, calling for its implementation at both federal and provincial levels to ensure uniform benefits for engineers working in various institutions.
The recommendation followed a detailed briefing by Pakistan Engineering Council Registrar Engineer Khadim Hussain Bhatti, who highlighted that engineers have been seeking such an allowance for years. He emphasized that the nature of their responsibilities justifies the provision, especially since similar benefits are already being offered to professionals in other sectors, including medical officers, judges, civil servants, pilots, paramilitary personnel, and management staff.
Committee members were informed that the allowance has already been approved in provinces such as Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as in regions like Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. However, implementation is still pending in Sindh and Balochistan, where the approval process is ongoing.
It was also noted that while some federal institutions, including IRSA and the Pakistan Engineering Council, have introduced the allowance, it has not yet been applied consistently across all departments. Officials stressed the need to eliminate disparities so that engineers receive equal benefits regardless of their place of employment.
The committee acknowledged the critical role engineers play in national development and supported extending the allowance nationwide. Members also directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to take responsibility for advancing the process and ensuring timely implementation of the proposal.
Also Read: Stanford Engineers Enable Solar Panels To Generate Power At Night
