ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter’s sixth edition puts VRF technology at the centre of a two-day conference and exhibition
Karachi – The ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter concluded HVACR Trends 6.0, its sixth conference and exhibition, at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi, on 16–17 October. Themed “VRF: Evolution, Innovation & the Future”, the event welcomed 3,283 visitors and 37 sponsors and exhibitors.
HVACR Trends exists to bring together the people who design, supply, install and operate heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, and to connect them with ASHRAE’s technical knowledge. Its purpose is to promote energy-efficient, sustainable and technically sound HVACR practice in Pakistan under the motto “Innovate. Sustain. Connect.”
ASHRAE Society President Sarah E. Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP, delivered the Presidential Address at the inauguration on 16 October. Her theme, “Changing the Game: Retrofitting for Resilience”, spoke directly to the opportunity in Pakistan’s existing building stock.
A new feature this year was a Networking Breakfast, “An Intimate Morning Conversation with the ASHRAE President”, held on 17 October. Chapter members, young engineers, students and industry professionals met Ms Maston in a personal setting. The session ran beyond its scheduled close as questions kept coming. The format was conceived by Faraz Khan, Co-Chair of the Chapter’s ECC Committee for 2026–27.
Seven technical papers examined VRF from design to long-term performance, from intelligent HVAC and coastal corrosion protection to new refrigerants and VRF flow design. Speakers included ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturers Luke Leung and Dr Hesham Safwat. A closing panel, “Chillers vs VRFs”, moderated by Mohsin ul Haq, urged choosing systems on whole-building performance and lifecycle cost.
The exhibition covered VRF, chillers, controls, piping, insulation, coatings and fire protection. Cosmix Engineering was the exclusive Titanium Sponsor. AMCON and AICOM General were the Platinum Sponsors, and Midea was the Diamond Sponsor. Gold Sponsors were MM Steel, Bharmal Traders, Airnest, Echelon Industries, Powermech and Greaves Air-conditioning; Silver Sponsors were Heresite, AVS, Crescent Corporation and Eurocon. Other major participants were Forte Pakistan, H&M Supply, Khan Brothers, 3Tech, IDEAS Associates, The Engineering, AIREX, Saeed Sons, United Insulation, SWI, Burhani Enterprises, Al-Karimjee and Pivot. Sponsors and exhibitors were happy with the outcome: the event met, and went beyond, the expectations and goals they brought to Karachi.
The Chapter credits the success of HVACR Trends 6.0 to the leadership of Ibad Hasan, President of ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter, and Omer Khan, Chairman of the Organising Committee, and above all to Engr. Abbas Sajid, whose mentorship guided the event from start to finish.
The event was endorsed by The Institution of Engineers Pakistan, CESS Pakistan, ACEP, PSPP, IWA Young Water Professionals Pakistan, Pakistan Businesses Forum and REAP.
About ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter
ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter is part of ASHRAE, the global society advancing HVACR to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world.
