An Exclusive Interview with Engr. Yousuf Hassan
Engr. Yousuf Hassan is the current President of the PHVACR Society. During a recent exclusive conversation with Engineering Post he shared his candid views on the present and future of Pakistan’s engineering sector, drawing from decades of hands-on experience as a renowned consultant and Chief Executive Officer of YH Associates. The discussion ranged from the preparedness of young engineers and the realities of consultancy practice to fire safety, local manufacturing, and the evolving role of professional bodies in shaping industry standards. What emerged was a deeply grounded perspective, practical, sometimes hard-hitting, but always driven by a commitment to quality, responsibility, and human life.
Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, is widely known in professional circles for his technical expertise and his involvement in complex national and international projects. As CEO of YH Associates, Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, has led consultancy work for hospitals in the United States, pharmaceutical industries in Bangladesh, hospital construction projects in Afghanistan, and several other multinational ventures. This breadth of exposure has shaped what he describes as “very unique world views,” especially when comparing local practices with global benchmarks.
While speaking about young engineers entering the profession, Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, expressed concern over the gap between academic learning and real-world engineering practice. He believes that Pakistan urgently needs a structured mechanism to bridge this divide. “In Pakistan, doctors cannot get their degree before they perform a one-year house job in a hospital,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, noted. “Similarly, the engineers of Pakistan need to go through a house-job-like programme before graduating. This will hone their skills with first-hand experience and make them more capable engineers.”
According to Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, such a system would not only improve technical competence but also significantly enhance employability. He explained that when young engineers spend structured time within firms as part of a compulsory programme, many of them naturally become assets to those organizations. “In many cases, engineers will be absorbed by the same firm they are performing internships in,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, said. “This helps the industry and helps the engineers, but it has to be made compulsory by law by the Pakistan Engineering Council. Voluntary systems do not deliver consistent results.”
Turning to the scope of consultancy firms in Pakistan, Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, was realistic yet optimistic. He emphasized that consultancy is a demanding field where competence and accountability define success. “The business is very good for people who are capable and who are doing technical work well,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, explained. However, he cautioned that consultancy is not an area where shortcuts are tolerated. “A layman’s mistake might cost thousands, but a consultant’s mistake will cost in millions,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, stressed.
For this reason, Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, strongly advocates strict professional compliance. He highlighted that any consultancy firm operating in Pakistan must be registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council and must maintain high professional standards at all times. According to him, credibility in consultancy is built slowly but can be destroyed instantly by negligence or compromise on quality. His own firm’s international portfolio, he said, is a direct result of maintaining those standards consistently across borders.
Discussing construction practices in Pakistan, Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, pointed out that the country is increasingly following international standards, especially in new developments. He sees this as a positive trend but insists that standards must be enforced uniformly rather than selectively. “In Pakistan, international standards are being followed for construction of new buildings,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, said, adding that the challenge lies in implementation, monitoring, and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
Local manufacturing, in his view, is another critical pillar for the growth of Pakistan’s engineering industry. Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, believes that without strong local manufacturing, the country will remain dependent on imports and vulnerable to external pressures. However, he was equally clear that protection alone is not enough. “To promote locally manufactured products, we also need to ensure that high quality standards are maintained by the local manufacturers,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, said. He emphasized that proper and clear specifications from manufacturers are essential to avoid failures in the field.
Sharing a personal experience from an international project, Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, recalled a challenging episode that tested both professionalism and patience. “Once, in an international project, I ordered 32 package units from a local manufacturer,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, said. “After installation, the heating coils of 18 of those units burnt up. It was very embarrassing.” Despite the setback, he chose not to abandon the local manufacturer. “I did not stop giving opportunities to the local manufacturer after that,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, added. “I believe that local manufacturers will improve only when we provide them with opportunities for growth.”
The conversation also touched upon safety, particularly in light of the recent tragic Gul Plaza fire in Karachi. Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, described the incident as deeply unfortunate and symptomatic of a larger problem. “It is very unfortunate that even basic firefighting precautions have not been taken in older buildings,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, said. He pointed out the absence of essential systems such as fire hydrants, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems in many older structures. He also mentioned that there should be proper and regular checking of the Fire Fighting Systems installed in the Building. He also cited the example of fire which was ignited in our National Assembly Building few years back due to improper checking of the installed systems.
While acknowledging that newer buildings are now required to obtain approvals with proper fire exits and safety measures, Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, emphasized that the real challenge lies with existing infrastructure. “In older buildings, we need to retrofit them for fire safety,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, stated firmly. He believes this should not be optional. “This should be made mandatory by law because there is nothing more important than a human life,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, stressed.
As President PHVACR Society, Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, also spoke with enthusiasm about the role of professional platforms in bringing the industry together. He expressed pride in his team and optimism about upcoming initiatives. “As President PHVACR Society, I feel very lucky that I have a very experienced and effective team working very hard for the upcoming Expo,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, said.
Highlighting the significance of the Karachi Expo, Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, explained why it consistently stands out. “The Karachi Expo is always unique because there is a lot of participation from the industry, as huge industries are located in Karachi and its surrounding areas i.e. Korangi, SITE Hub, Kotri etc. Here,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, noted. “That is why it is always a mega event.” For him, each edition is not just an exhibition but a benchmark. “We want to make sure that every new event is better than the last one,” Engr. Yousuf Hassan, President PHVACR Society, concluded.
