Mr. Asif Siddiqui is the Electrical Engineer and Chief Executive at Sigma Ventures (Pvt) Ltd. He established M/s Sigma Ventures in 2004 to build and maintain Telecom infrastructure. Later on undertaking major electrical engineering works, he was also elected President Rotary Club of Karachi Universal in 2005 and past president of The Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Pakistan (IEEEP), he was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by IEEEP in 2022. Mr. Asif Siddiqui was the elected Member of Executive Committee, of Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association in 2008-2015. In this exclusive interview to ARCHI TIMES Newage Cable Engineer Interview Series, he talked about his successful professional journey and related issues.
ARCHI TIMES (AT): Before we begin talking about your engineering, would it be good to know your educational background?
Asif Siddiqui (AS): I did my Graduation in Electrical Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India in 1969 and migrated to Pakistan in 1970. Joined KESC in October 70 and went do my Master in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA in 1975. Came back to Pakistan in 1977 and resigned from KESC to establish a business in 1978.
AT: Tell us about your firm and its role.
AS: Originally we established M/s General Electro-mecanique (Pvt) Ltd. under which prestigious Electrical works like Pak Saudi Fertilizer, Mirpur Mathelo, SMPC Complex & 1700 Hot & Cold Rolling Mills of Pakistan, Village Electrification all over Pakistan, 22 Grid Stations of KESC, Telephone network of considerable part of Karachi under ALCATEL, 16 Main Switching Centers all over Pakistan for Telenor besides many others like it was executed. Sigma Ventures (Pvt) Ltd. was originally created to provide support for the Maintenance of facilities built by General Electro-mecanique (Pvt) Ltd. besides the maintenance of 500 BTS sites of Warid Telecom. Later on, it took over the complete role of M/s General Electro-mecanique (Pvt) Ltd.
Presently while on one hand, we are still building EHT networks we are heavily involved with green energy being the first to produce & use Biodiesel in Pakistan, supporters of Edge Buildings, promoters and builders of Solar Systems, etc.
AT: What kind of services and programs are offered at Sigma Ventures, and how are these designed?
AS: At Sigma Ventures (Pvt) Ltd. we strongly believe in the Hands-On training of engineers to bring out their innovative skills. Initially, we give them a project to study, then to design, and finally to execute. The idea is always to make them leaders in their fields. Now these projects may involve Extra High Voltage or Industrial Distribution or Solar Systems.
AT: What should be the role of engineers in our society?
AS: Engineers should be leaders in their fields by innovating at all steps using the knowledge they have gained during education. They have to firmly believe that the knowledge they have gained is not just to get the degree but to be applied in every aspect of life.
AT: The role of engineer you have mentioned, do you think engineers are playing their role today?
AS: No. Hardly. Most of them believe the learned knowledge has nothing to do with their practical life. Many times I had to ask them to take out the textbooks they had buried.
AT: How can the efficiency of air quality, more green spaces, decarbonizing of buildings, and electricity generation, be improved in Pakistan?
AS: Very simple. Just grow as many plants & trees as possible, make your buildings as airy as possible, and cover all roofs with Solar plates.
AT: Nowadays global warming and climate change are the main challenges, how are you addressing these challenges, particularly in Pakistan?
AS: We in general don’t give a damn about climate change. Even if they install solar systems, it is to save money and not because of climate change. They would chop a tree without feeling any guilt if it serves their purpose. Actually, the common man in Pakistan is so overburdened by a lack of finance, lack of water, lack of gas, and lack of electricity that they don’t care about climate change.
So what do we do? We sell them renewables on the basis of economics and coax them to grow trees to make the place look better.
AT: What type of challenges and difficulties the profession of engineering is facing today in Pakistan?
AS: First, they don’t get a job. Even if they get it, it may be too orthodox to promote any new ideas. If it is a Government job, he has only to learn how to stop working to be successful. In most cases, their bosses are non-technical and do not understand the problem.
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?
AS: In most cases, it is due to faulty wiring and faulty electrical systems if not deliberate.
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?
AS: In short, since you cannot live in however beautiful a building you make until you have electricity, please give it its due share. Most of the time it is the last thing on builders’ minds. Please get the Electrical System properly designed and not rely on the contractor doing your wiring. Use proper cable and switchgear not because of its beauty but its functionality.
AT: What measures would you suggest to be considered for reducing electrical loads in buildings?
AS: Use Nature instead of getting away from it. The biggest load is always the air conditioning. Its placement and prevention of thermal leakages should be particularly taken care of.
AT: What are your views about the usage of solar panels in buildings? Do you think solar panels are the best option for reducing electrical loads?
AS: No doubt about it. I believe that there should not be even a single roof that is not covered by Solar panels. I also believe that all Nullahs in the city should be covered by solar panels. This is the only investment with a 33% return while making our planet greener.
AT: What do you do in your free time also tell us about your hobbies.
AS: If you had asked me this question 30 years back I would have said sports. I have played everyone. Now however my only but very expensive hobby is travelling. My belief is that when we go up there God will say ” You bloody fool, I gave you such a diverse and pretty world and you did not even see that.” I don’t want to feel guilty there so I am trying to cover every part of this beautiful world in whatever way I can. Otherwise, I read. Anything I can get my hands on.
AT: What is your advice to the younger generation?
AS: It is your only life. Don’t waste it. It might seem that you have a lot of time but it is not. Take my word for it as a senior.
