Sheraz Leads Key Session on Construction Contracts at Punjab Engineering Academy
The session was thus attended by the engineers from a number of governmental departments in both Balochistan and Punjab that aimed to give them knowledge, skills, or expertise in constructing projects and settlement of disputes using modern industry standards. The event was targeted toward senior engineers, providing them with general information on vital issues concerning the management of constructing projects and contract administration through dispute resolution that is very useful in their practice as project managers.
Leadership and Expertise from Mian Sheraz Javaid
A lecture delivered by Mian Sheraz Javaid was the core of the session. The Chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Pakistan Branch, Mian Sheraz Javaid, brought invaluable expertise related to dispute resolution and contract management in the construction industry. His contributions are widely respected, and his session focused on providing the participants with a deep understanding of resolving disputes through arbitration, mediation, and negotiation—a critical aspect for engineers who often deal with contractual issues and disputes during large-scale infrastructure projects.
A highlight of the event was Sheraz's leadership in construction and energy law. Over decades of working on high-stakes projects, he provided practical examples and insights into how engineers can better navigate complex contractual disputes and improve their negotiation strategies. His expertise in construction law made him a key figure in equipping participants with tools and approaches for tackling the legal challenges often encountered in large infrastructure projects.
Expert Insights on Construction Management
The speaker was Mr. Moeen-ud-Din Sheikh, former Chief Engineer of the Punjab Irrigation Department and present principal of PEA. Mr. Sheikh has ample experience in the field of public policy and the management of water resources. All the lectures delivered during the whole training course had been directed accordingly to the strategic needs of the senior engineers from the public sector. Under his leadership, PEA has emerged as a mainstay in engineering talent development across Pakistan, and the session that he moderated was of great success under his moderation.
Besides Mian Sheraz Javaid, the event had a series of distinguished international speakers who connected online to deliver valuable insights into critical aspects of construction management and contract administration. These included Ms. Yasemine Çetinel, one of the leaders in construction management and international commercial arbitration and currently the President of DRBF Region 2 and Chairperson of the Society of Construction Law Turkey. The lectures she delivered gave insight into a broad global tendency of dispute resolution, especially against the background of international construction, where participants will find much wisdom about how one could manage any form of dispute.
Dr. Ing. Romano Allione of Milan Polytechnic, Italy, is an independent Project Management Consultant and a lecturer. Another key contributor during the session, Dr. Ing. Allione, specialises in the management of Contracts, Claims, and Delays in Construction Works. He described his experiences managing major infrastructure construction projects worldwide and was very relevant in helping to understand the real importance of well-managed claims and delays—common issues faced in complex time-sensitive construction work.
Key Topics Covered in the Session
Throughout the session, participants are exposed to an extensive range of topics that are very important to senior executives in the construction industry. One of the central themes of the session was the evolution of construction management, where Mr. Sheikh described how the discipline has changed with time to face the growing complexity of modern construction projects. The session covered the basics of FIDIC, which is highly used in the international construction environment, and therefore, understanding clauses and their applications is a fundamental requirement.
An important aspect was the function of Dispute Boards in construction. Increasingly, the value of a quick and amicable resolution of disputes without long and costly litigation procedures is realised in the form of Dispute Boards. Insights on this subject by Mian Sheraz Javaid, especially as to how a Dispute Board should be structured and implemented, were particularly helpful to the senior engineers in attendance, many of whom are likely to face disputes in the course of their work.
The session discussed the civil and common law systems, further highlighting these two legal frameworks on construction contracts and the influence of those two legal frameworks on the process of resolving disputes. This portion of the session informed participants how different legal frameworks influence construction contract law, and particularly, the differences within those legal frameworks regarding construction contract law and the process of resolving disputes related to construction contracts.
Engaging the Next Generation of Senior Engineers
The 28th In-Service Training Course for Senior Executives is an important program designed to train engineers for positions of leadership within the government sector. The session at PEA was not only beneficial in providing technical knowledge but also helped develop leadership skills in managing complex projects in the public sector. Engineers who attended the session, coming from Balochistan's C&W Department, P&D Department, and Irrigation Department, as well as Punjab's Irrigation Department, C&W Department, PHE Department, Agriculture Department, and Mines & Minerals Department, would be in an excellent position to learn much from the expert speakers.
The session quite objectively helped the participants learn very practical tools and strategies regarding effective management of contracts and dispute resolution. Mian Sheraz Javaid shared the benefit of the insights of Ms. Çetinel, Dr. Allione, and Mr. Sheikh, making the session very informative and impactful, preparing the attendants for some challenges posed by the management of large construction projects.
The Punjab Engineering Academy extends its gratitude to all the speakers for their invaluable contributions to the session, which has undoubtedly enhanced the professional development of Pakistan's senior engineering executives. Their knowledge and experience will continue to resonate with the participants as they move forward in their careers, contributing to the continued development of infrastructure and public services in the country.
