ARCHI TIMES Interview | Photographs by Engineer
Wasif Laeeq is a versatile techno-commercial leader with over 23 years of experience ranging from Service Manager to successful Director Head positions. He is a strategic problem solver and visionary CEO who has successfully led discussions to fulfill the organization’s current and future strategic and operational goals. His areas of experience include industrial sales and the creation of solutions for solar and renewable energies, BMS, surveillance and imaging, access control, parametric protection, barriers, evacuation, mechanical and electrical fire detection, suppression, and integrated systems, among others.
ARCHI TIMES (AT): Before we begin talking about your engineering, would it be good to know your early life and educational background?
Wasif Laeeq (WL): I hold a degree in electrical engineering from NED University and completed my postgraduate diploma in instrumentation from Cambridge, UK. Throughout my career, I’ve led extensive teams in Business Development, Operations, and Support across multiple regions for renowned global and national organizations like Philips Electrical Industries of Pakistan, Siemens Pakistan, Robert Bosch Middle East, and Orient Energy Systems. My expertise lies in control and automation, as well as in microgrid and renewable energy technologies.
AT: Tell us about your firm and its role.
WL: I work for a multinational company with operations spanning different sectors, primarily focused on power generation and renewable energy in Pakistan and worldwide. Our company stands out as the sole entity with demonstrated proficiency in diverse areas including solar, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), microgrids, and conventional fossil fuel-based power generation.
AT: How can the efficiency of air quality, more green spaces, decarbonizing of buildings, and electricity generation be improved in Pakistan?
WL: This question is really important for Pakistan’s future. In the last five years, the amount of greenhouse gases we release into the air has gone up by about 8%. This is bad for the environment. Also, the amount of carbon dioxide we produce for each unit of energy we make in Pakistan is way too high. To make things better, we need to use more renewable energy sources in Pakistan. The government should help by giving more rewards and cheaper loans for projects that use renewable energy.
We also need to do some urgent things like planting more trees, making sure every home plants a tree, getting more people to use electric cars, making strict rules for industries that produce lots of carbon, and protecting our farmland. The government needs to act fast on these things. We also need to tell people more about how they can help, and work with other countries to solve these problems together.
So, we really need a big plan that involves the government, people, and other countries to fix these environmental problems in Pakistan.
AT: Nowadays global warming and climate change are the main challenges, how are you addressing these challenges, particularly in Pakistan?
WL: Climate change is causing a lot of problems for Pakistan. We’ve seen some really strange weather like heavy rains and floods before. As I said earlier, we need to do things to stop making greenhouse gases, but it’s not something that can happen quickly. Pakistan is being hurt by pollution caused by richer countries. We need help from other countries to deal with this, both with money and with new technology. We should talk to other countries and try to make them understand our situation. I want to mention that since Pakistan agreed to the Paris Agreement for the prevention of global warming, we have been doing better at taking action.
AT: What should be the role of engineers in our society?
WL: Economist Adam Smith, in his seminal work “The Wealth of Nations,” emphasized that human skill is the most important factor in driving economic growth and prosperity in any country. Engineers, having technical knowledge, can play a pivotal role in the growth and survival of the country. Pakistan is going through a very tough time due to an extraordinary hike in electricity prices. This can be a disaster if not addressed in time. It is the responsibility of engineers to address the issues with technical honesty. Our engineers should work on value-added products. It is much better that they start their businesses and create jobs for others rather than focusing on employment and finding low-profile jobs abroad.
AT: The role of engineer you have mentioned, do you think engineers are playing their role today?
WL: In my opinion, our engineers are not fulfilling their true role, and this is not solely their fault. The current prevailing demotivation unnecessarily pushes them to pursue their careers outside Pakistan, causing brain drain.
AT: What type of challenges and difficulties the profession of engineering is facing today in Pakistan?
WL: Uncertainty and poor business conditions in many organizations in Pakistan are the biggest challenges for youth to continue working with peace of mind. At the same time, difficult job conditions are a positive thing; they push many individuals to start self-employment and grow.
AT: Recently we have seen many cases of fire break in the buildings. In your opinion, what are the main reasons for these fire incidents?
WL: In Pakistan, most buildings have some fire prevention systems, but either these systems are not properly designed or not operational due to poor quality or inadequate maintenance. Many business owners opt for the cheapest non-UL listed systems, and the installation does not adhere to NFPA codes. Government agencies must audit the systems during building construction and periodically and randomly thereafter.
AT: What are the considerations for building safety in terms of designing and what important tips would you like to give designers and the public at large?
WL: The most important consideration in a building is the escape route. It should lead in the opposite direction and must be protected with fire doors. The other things are a well-designed fire detection and automatic suppression system, and backup power for lifts and critical systems. There should be no compromises in safety-critical systems. Proper ventilation is essential, and all critical systems must be integrated. For example, in the event of a fire, exhaust fans should operate automatically. All electrical cables must be fireproof, and areas with potential fire hazards should be painted with fireproof chemicals and sealed with intumescent material to isolate them in case of a fire event.
AT: What are your views about the usage of solar panels in buildings?
WL: Solar panels should be mandatory for all buildings. In Pakistan, installing solar systems is a no-brainer; in most cases, the payback time is 2 to 3 years.
AT: Do you think solar panels are the best option for reducing electrical loads?
WL: As I mentioned earlier, the solar system is the most viable investment according to the return on investment. Nowadays, solar panels are at the lowest pricing level.
AT: What do you do in your free time? Also tell us about your hobbies.
WL: When I have a break from my busy schedule, I enjoy going for walks. While I walk, I talk to my friends or listen to audiobooks. It makes me feel refreshed. I really like learning about new technologies.
AT: What is your advice to the younger generation?
WL: My first advice is to make it a habit to learn new articles or books daily. Your priority should be having your own business. Life should be balanced; you should have the passion to earn, but don’t forget that every day is unique—it will never come again. Your most valuable assets are the people who love you.
