June 2006 – the PETU idea is born

On the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebrations of Middle East Technical University, a contingent of 42 Pakistanis (25 Pakistani alumni of METU and 17 family members) converged on the university campus at Ankara to participate in the festivities. They stayed on campus for around 4 days, reminiscing and enjoying every moment. The discussions led to a serious note of how we can contribute towards a major contribution to Pakistan. From this was born the idea and an expression of interest to establish a METU-like university in Pakistan. We also agreed to establish the METUPAK Foundation in Pakistan as an umbrella for all our charitable activities, aimed primarily at promoting education in Pakistan.

September 2006 – Arshad Jamil’s visit and MOU

The first Pakistani alumnus of METU Mr. Arshad Jamil took it upon himself to make the next move. He returned to Ankara at the end of September 2006 and met with the management of METU to share our thoughts and desire. The Rektor Dr. Akbulut and his team listened intently and were excited. METU had already established a campus in Cyprus, and this seemed to be a natural extension.

On September 27, 2006, METU represented by Dr. Akbulut and METUPAK Foundation represented by Arshad Jamil signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a new technical university on the pattern of METU in Pakistan.

Arshad Jamil then rushed to Islamabad to share the wonderful news. Along with Ejaz Ahmed and Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui, he also met Dr. Ataur Rahman, the Chairman of Higher Education Commission and other officials to request HEC approval and participation in this project. We also invited Dr. Ataur Rahman to visit Ankara in this regard and he consented. However, he advised that the only way to move this project on a fast track was to get an approval from the President of Pakistan through an ordinance. Nine other universities were planned by HEC and were approved by the government, and this would be the tenth one if approved.

Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui was a member of the Board of Governors (BOG) of Cadet College Petaro. He visited Karachi and spoke to the Chairman of the BOG and the Principal of the college and got them on board to arrange for land for the university near Petaro. It would be ideal to build the university in that area since there were 3 other universities in Jamshoro which would provide a good environment. The Board and the Principal agreed to put all their resources to work and requested that the institution be named Petaro Technical University (PETU). The name was agreed.

Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui was a member of the Board of Governors (BOG) of Cadet College Petaro. He visited Karachi and spoke to the Chairman of the BOG and the Principal of the college and got them on board to arrange for land for the university near Petaro. It would be ideal to build the university in that area since there were 3 other universities in Jamshoro which would provide a good environment. The Board and the Principal agreed to put all their resources to work and requested that the institution be named Petaro Technical University (PETU). The name was agreed.

The Petaro Board of Governors and the college also took it upon themselves to find a way to get approval from the President of Pakistan. General Musharraf had already agreed to be the Chief Guest at the upcoming Golden Jubilee celebrations of Cadet College Petaro on January 28, 2007. The Principal and his team visited Islamabad and requested the President to grant approval and charter for Petaro Technical University during his speech on that special occasion. They were given a nod, and everyone was excited that the project was moving faster than anticipated.

November 2006 – METUPAK Foundation registration and visit of Dr. Ataur Rahman

While METUPAK Foundation existed as a concept since June 2006 and had started its operations, it was finally granted registration and a charter by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan on November 2, 2006.

Dr. Ataur Rahman visited the METU campus in Ankara during November 2006 and met the Rektor and other officials. He was convinced that this can move forward. He was also aware that the President of Pakistan will most likely announce the establishment of PETU in February 2007.

November 2006 – Second International Symposium organized by PEP Foundation Inc

Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui presented a paper to the Second International Symposium organized by the Promotion Of Education In Pakistan (PEP) Foundation at Islamabad. The idea was to gain further momentum and a spread of the concept with all other departments of the government of Pakistan.

December 2006 – Visit by METU delegation to Pakistan

In reciprocation, Dr. Ural Akbulut, Rektor of METU led a delegation to Karachi. METUPAK Foundation hosted a dinner in his honor at the Karachi Marriott Hotel on December 3, 2006. The Chairman Board of Governors Vice Admiral Viqar Naqvi and the Principal of Cadet College Petaro Cdre. M. Abid Saleem along with a large number of Pakistani METUITES attended the function. Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui made a PowerPoint presentation to the visiting delegates explaining demographics of Pakistan, the situation of education and higher education in the country and the role of HEC, details about METUPAK Foundation and Pakistani METU alumni and the initial concept of PETU. He also informed the honorable visitors that formal approval is expected to be granted by the President of Pakistan at Petaro in January. A copy of the presentation is available.

During his speech, Dr. Akbulut reaffirmed METU’s commitment to build Petaro Technical University.

February 2007 – President Musharraf proclaims establishment of PETU

As expected, President Musharraf announced the establishment of Petaro Technical University (PETU) during his keynote speech during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Cadet College Petaro on February 28, 2007. Arshad Jamil, Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui, and Mohammed Aslam represented METUPAK Foundation at Petaro during the celebrations. This was a high moment.

April 2007

With approval given by the President, Dr. Attaur Rahman, Chairman HEC visited Ankara once again to meet the Rektor and other university officials to inform them formally of the position of the government of Pakistan.

May 2007 – Formal notification by Prime Minister of Pakistan

The Prime Minister’s Secretariat issued a formal notification vide directive no. 648-652 and reference no. F 3(173)Annou-PR/G-I/PAW/07 on May 2, 2007 announcing the establishment of Petaro Technical University in the vicinity of Cadet College Petaro with the courtesy of METUPAK Foundation. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) was given the task for implementation. The HEC, ministries of finance and education, and the Sindh government, and the Secretary of the President were copied on the notification.

July 2007 – Second MOU with METU

In July 2007, Arshad Jamil, Chairman METUPAK Foundation visited Ankara once again and signed a second Memorandum of Understanding with METU to reassert commitment and with more details on how to proceed.

September 2007 – Design competition and work progress

During these months, the METUPAK Foundation were at work to develop different aspects of the PETU plan. The efforts were led by Arshad Jamil and supported by Farooq Azam Khan, Kazi Zulkader, Mohammed Aslam and others.

METUPAK Foundation also started a design competition for PETU. The work done by architect Ali Nasir Rizvi (METU entry of 1970) was highly appreciated and he provided extensive drawings and concepts which were incorporated into the plans.

January 2008 – METUPAK meeting with HEC and detailed presentation

HEC Director of Planning Dr. Mazhar Saeed invited METUPAK Foundation and Cadet College Petaro for a meeting in Islamabad to take the project to the next step. The meeting took place on January 10, 2008 at the HEC headquarters in Islamabad. METUPAK Foundation was represented by Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui, Dr. Farooq Azam Khan (who came from California), and Tanveer Aizad, while Cadet College Petaro was represented by its Principal.

Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui prepared a concept paper and made a detailed presentation on the progress and the plans while Dr. Farooq Azam Khan discussed the proposed curriculum and program of studies. The METUPAK Foundation requested that it is time for the government to grant land for the project so that we can do detailed town planning and architectural designs.

HEC requested METUPAK Foundation to prepare the detailed PC-1 soon after allocation of land so that government funds may be allocated. We were also requested to work closely with HEC and the Planning Commission to get the PC-1 approved. In addition, while the HEC would request allocation of land, the responsibility lay with METUPAK Foundation to work closely with the Government of Sindh for identification and allocation of the land. Thirdly, METUPAK Foundation were directed to work closely with METU for the development of curricula, arrangement of visiting faculty, faculty development and training, management practices, technology park and other aspects. HEC requested METUPAK Foundation to raise seed money for initial work until government funding is approved, and to also induce Pakistani METU alumni to join the faculty. Lastly, they also requested the Foundation to liaise with METU for accreditation, providing architectural designs, engineering services, project management, field supervision and management of construction. We were on course.

HEC sent following letter to METUPAK Foundation to confirm how we will proceed.

HEC also mobilized different ministries, departments, and agencies of the government of Pakistan and assigned tasks to be completed with target dates. The following letter was sent to all concerned departments in this regard.

March 2008

Dr. Attaur Rahman, Chairman HEC wrote a formal letter to Governor Sindh on March 15, 2008, to allot land for the PETU project. In the meanwhile, METUPAK Foundation was working full swing on development of PC-1 is in full swing along with coordination of Cadet College Petaro.

With HEC’s letter sent to the Governor Sindh, Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui visited Karachi and met the COMKAR Vice Admiral Bakhtiar Mohsin (Chairman BOG, Cadet College Petaro) on March 22, 2008, requesting his help to meet the Governor Sindh for allocation of land for the university. Subsequently, the COMKAR called upon the governor and obtained an appointment.

Kazi Zulkader flew to Karachi once again in mid-April. The COMKAR accompanied him to the Governor’s House and they met the Governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad for around half an hour. Kazi Zulkader explained details of the project and gave a copy of the HEC letter to the governor to request 1500 acres of land for the project. The governor gave full support and promised to take action. On May 10, 2008, a letter was sent by the Governor’s Office to the Sindh Board of Revenue – Land Utilization to take necessary action for allocation of land for the university.

Armed with these instructions, METUPAK Foundation started work in earnest to identify land near Petaro, Jamshoro and Super Highway section near Hyderabad. Our survey teams visited various sites during the months of June and July and identify four possible candidates.

In the meantime, the political scene of Pakistan had changed. Pakistan People’s Party under Asif Ali Zardari won the general elections in February 2008. They formed a minority government on March 25, 2008. The HEC management also changed accordingly.

President Musharraf saw his power fading and he finally resigned on August 18, 2008 and was succeeded by Asif Ali Zardari. This change of government was a disaster for the 10 universities (including PETU) that had been planned by Musharraf’s government. Zardari and the new PPP government chose to shelve all of these planned state-of-the-art universities. With no funding or support from the government, PETU and the other 9 universities died a natural death even before they could be built.

Conceptual Plans and Designs prepared by Ali Nasir Rizvi are given below.