Usman Farooq, Focal Person of the Young Engineers National Forum, shares vision, goals, and plans for empowering over 40,000 young engineers across Pakistan.
By M Qadeer
In a groundbreaking move by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), the Young Engineers National Forum has been formally launched to empower and represent over 40,000 emerging engineers across the country. Leading this initiative is Engr. Usman Farooq, who has been appointed as the Focal Person of the forum. In this exclusive interview, he talks about the forum’s vision, organizational structure, the challenges faced by young engineers, and what lies ahead.
Q: Congratulations on your appointment, Engr. Usman Farooq. How significant is the establishment of the Young Engineers National Forum?
Usman Farooq: Thank you very much. The establishment of the Young Engineers National Forum under the umbrella of PEC is a major milestone. For the first time in Pakistan’s engineering history, a platform has been created by the young engineers and for the young engineers. This forum will serve as a national voice for thousands of engineering graduates who are often unheard and underrepresented in decision-making processes.
Q: What inspired the need for such a forum?
Usman Farooq: Over the years, we have seen growing frustration among young engineers due to lack of employment opportunities, outdated curriculum, insufficient industry exposure, and minimal participation in policy development. Despite the presence of brilliant talent, our systems haven’t evolved enough to accommodate their ideas or resolve their challenges. The forum was born out of the need to create a collective platform where young engineers could take charge of their own professional future and contribute meaningfully to the engineering sector and national development.
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Q: What are the core objectives and functions of this forum?
Usman Farooq: The core objectives are quite clear:
• To ensure representation of young engineers in PEC and other policymaking bodies.
• To create employment and internship opportunities through collaborations with industries and government projects.
• To conduct modern training programs, project competitions, and an annual conference to nurture innovation and leadership.
• To reform engineering education, proposing curriculum changes based on emerging technologies and global practices.
• To advocate for policy reforms to combat unemployment and strengthen the engineering infrastructure in Pakistan.
And most importantly, this platform allows young engineers to make their own decisions collectively and democratically.
Q: Tell us more about the structure of the forum. How will it be organized?
Usman Farooq: The structure of the forum will be district-based, ensuring grassroots involvement. Young engineers from all provinces will be organized at the district level, and their elected representatives will feed into the provincial and then national executive bodies. This tiered organization allows for inclusive participation and representation across Pakistan.
The leadership will be rotational, and we are aiming for gender inclusivity and geographical diversity to reflect the true spirit of national unity and professionalism.
Q: How was the response during the inaugural meeting?
Usman Farooq: It was overwhelming. We had a large number of young engineer leaders join us from all across Pakistan—Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, and beyond. What’s even more inspiring is that young engineers from abroad also participated online, showing their support. The discussions lasted several hours and revolved around structural reforms, curriculum development, entrepreneurship opportunities, and collaborative innovation. The energy in that session proved we are on the right path.
Q: What immediate steps will the forum be taking in the coming months?
Usman Farooq: We are currently in the process of forming district-level committees. Following that, we will launch our training calendar, open registrations for the first national project competition, and start consultations with academic and industry stakeholders to develop a Young Engineers’ Reform Charter.
Additionally, we will compile recommendations from engineers across the country on matters such as job creation, R&D funding, and curriculum development, which we will present to PEC and relevant government bodies.
Q: What message would you like to give to young engineers across Pakistan?
Usman Farooq: This is your forum, built to listen to your voice and to take your challenges seriously. Join us, lead your local chapters, share your ideas, and help us create the future we all dream of—where engineers are not just job seekers but job creators, innovators, and national assets.
Let’s break the silence and build a movement based on unity, merit, and innovation. The change has begun—and every young engineer in Pakistan has a role to play in it.
Final Words: The Young Engineers National Forum represents a new chapter in the professional landscape of Pakistan. With strong leadership, a clear vision, and grassroots commitment, it could become the most powerful youth-driven engineering movement in the country. Usman Farooq’s passion and clarity indicate that the future of engineering is not just in good hands—but in the hands of those who will shape it themselves.
