It is agonising that Pakistani engineers have always been given step-motherly treatment by all governments since 1965.

In 1969, the engineers of the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, had burnt their degrees at the convocation. The engineers of Peshawar had protested at Soekarno Chowk by polishing boots and haircutting against the then government’s apathy towards Lahore engineers.

The Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) was established in 1976. Out of the PEC’s 42 years of existence I have never seen it endeavouring for the engineers’ rights and welfare.

On the other hand, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has always fought vigorously for doctors’ salaries, status and upgradation of their scales.

The engineering community is to be blamed for this because it never gathered to raise its voice against injustices, while doctors have always fought for their rights in such a manner that all governments bowed to their demands.

All engineers should get united, chalk out a reasonable plan and discuss their genuine demands and negotiate with federal and provincial governments.

Engr. M. Yunus Awan
Dera Ismail Khan