Productivity Association of Pakistan Launched

APO alumni can play an important role in generating multiplier effects in national and regional productivity networks. Given the strategic importance of the alumni in broadening the productivity movement in member countries, the APO has encouraged its member countries to establish and/or strengthen their alumni activities. Recently, the APO has received the welcome news that the NPO Pakistan has established an APO alumni association. The APO would like to thank PAP Program Coordinator Nadia Masood, NPO Pakistan, who kindly shared the news with other member countries.

PAP launching cum seminar in progress

The National Productivity Organization (NPO), Pakistan, established the Productivity Association of Pakistan (PAP), the country’s APO alumni association, on 25 April 2009 to strengthen networking with productivity experts and practitioners in the public and private sectors. The launch ceremony and concomitant workshop on Knowledge Management (KM) for Achieving Business Excellence were held at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

The ceremony was attended by ICCI President Shaukat Masud, Former NPO CEO Saquib Mohyuddin, and Chief Coordinator Ehsan-ur-Rauf Sheikh, Pakistan National Accreditation Council, along with members of the PAP Executive Committee, including PAP Vice President and APO Liaison Officer for Pakistan Ejaz Rasul Chawdhry and Secretary General Hasan Haider, Deputy General Manager of the NPO. More than 85 participants from public and private institutions registered for PAP membership.

PAP Vice President Chawdhry gave a welcome address stating that the PAP had been created as a productivity network among national and international participants. The PAP will operate under the NPO with the support of NPO CEO Muhammad Javed Malik, who is also the PAP President. “This initiative is the outcome of the APO project in Indonesia last year for the development of APO alumni in member countries,” Chawdhry explained.

The workshop on KM was conducted by Secretary General Haider, who introduced productivity tools utilized by the Asian Tigers for industrial competitiveness. He stressed that those who participate in APO projects must share their knowledge and learning experiences to meet the APO objective of creating multiplier effects. Haider also gave a comprehensive presentation on the PAP’s strategies for achieving its objectives. He said that it was “the need of the hour” to develop productivity standards with the help of experts registered with the PAP. He added that the PAP Islamabad office would be followed by with Lahore and Karachi offices by July 2009.

PAP Vice President Chawdhry presenting a plaque of appreciation to ICCI President Masud: (L-R) Mr. Chawdhry, Mr. Mohyuddin, Mr. Masud, and Mr. Haider

Former NPO CEO Mohyuddin expressed his appreciation to the NPO for launching the PAP. He was recognized as a founding member of the PAP since he had floated the idea in 2004. ICCI President Masud followed his formal announcement of the PAP’s commencement by promising support in expanding the membership. He believed that the establishment of the PAP was well timed to add to the productivity and quality culture in the economic sector of Pakistan.