Seminar on “Global Trends in Waste-to-Energy and the Challenges Faced by Pakistan in Implementing These Advancements”
The Institute of Environmental Engineering and Research (IEER), in collaboration with its Climate Action Forum (CAF) Society, organized a seminar on the critical topic “Global Trends in Waste-to-Energy and the Challenges Faced by Pakistan in Implementing These Advancements” on 17 December 2025 at the Transportation Engineering Hall, UET Lahore.
The Worthy Vice Chancellor, UET Lahore, Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir (Tamgha-e-Imtiaz), graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Prof. Dr. Khalid Farooq, Dean Faculty of Civil Engineering, attended as Guest of Honour. Prof. Dr. Mohsin Kazmi, Director ORIC, and Prof. Dr. Zaheer Aslam, Chairman, Department of Chemical Engineering, were also among the distinguished guests.
Dr. Mehwish Anis, Director IEER, formally welcomed the guests, faculty members, students, and the distinguished speaker, Dr. Mudassir Azam (PhD, Austria) from the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of the Punjab. Dr. Azam shared his expertise in waste-to-energy systems and microbial fuel cell technology, highlighting the rapid global advancements in waste-to-energy as cleaner energy solutions. He emphasized that while global best practices are valuable, their successful adoption in Pakistan requires careful consideration of local waste characteristics, challenges in waste segregation, inconsistent feedstock quality, financial viability, and public awareness and acceptance.
In his address, Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir underscored waste-to-energy as an emerging research area requiring focused attention from researchers and policymakers. He highlighted its importance in addressing two major national challenges: effective waste management and the shortage of reliable and clean energy. Sharing insights from his visits to waste-to-energy plants in Europe, he emphasized that, with careful planning, technoeconomic evaluation and adaptation, such technologies can be implemented in Pakistan as a sustainable and cleaner alternative to conventional energy sources.
At the conclusion of the seminar, shields of appreciation were presented to the distinguished guest speaker by the Worthy Vice Chancellor. In a gesture of gratitude and respect, Prof. Dr. Khalid Farooq, Dean Faculty of Civil Engineering, presented a shield of appreciation to the Honourable Vice Chancellor on behalf of IEER.
