Engr. Azeem Talib, Senior Regional Head South talks to Engineering Post
Pak Elektron Limited (PEL) is one of Pakistan’s leading engineering and manufacturing companies, established in 1956. Renowned for its excellence in the electrical power and home appliances sectors, PEL manufactures a wide range of products, including power transformers, switchgear, energy meters, refrigerators, air conditioners, deep freezers, and washing machines. With a strong focus on quality, innovation, and technological advancement, the company has built a trusted reputation in both domestic and international markets. Today, PEL exports its products to more than 40 countries, reflecting the global competitiveness of Pakistan’s engineering and manufacturing industry.
In an exclusive interview with Engineering Post, Azeem Talib, Senior Regional Head South, PEL, shared his views on quality standards, Pakistan’s export potential, evolving workforce trends, and the company’s future outlook.
Speaking about PEL’s international growth, Azeem Talib said the company continues to strengthen Pakistan’s engineering exports through consistent quality and customer confidence. “PEL is targeting exports worth around Rs 15 billion during the current fiscal year. Our growing international footprint demonstrates that Pakistani engineering products can successfully compete in global markets when quality remains the foremost priority,” he said.
Discussing product quality, Azeem Talib emphasized that quality cannot be judged merely by labels or marketing claims. “Quality is the buzzword today, but it depends on the grade of product a company chooses to manufacture. There is a very significant difference between the best-quality B-grade product and the best-quality A-grade product,” he explained. According to him, many customers fail to recognize the distinction because products often appear similar despite major differences in materials, engineering, performance, and durability.
Commenting on Pakistan’s highly price-sensitive market, Azeem Talib observed that many new entrants attempt to compete solely on lower prices. However, he stressed that manufacturing world-class products requires investment in superior materials, technology, and quality control. “You cannot manufacture a premium product at cheaper rates. If customers expect world-class quality, they must also be willing to pay a premium for it,” he remarked, adding that long-term reliability ultimately delivers greater value than low initial cost.
Sharing his perspective on Pakistan’s engineering workforce, Azeem Talib noted that the employment landscape has changed significantly over the past two decades. “Twenty-five years ago there were nearly 1,000 engineering jobs available annually, while only around 600 electrical engineers graduated each year. Employment opportunities were plentiful, but today the situation is very different as the number of graduates has increased substantially,” he said.
Reflecting on changing workplace attitudes, Azeem Talib observed that previous generations displayed exceptional commitment to building long-term careers. “The older generation was prepared to dedicate the prime years of their lives to hard work, often spending 10 to 15 years establishing their professional reputation. Today’s Generation Z and those who experienced the COVID era generally have different priorities and are comparatively less committed to long-term career development,” he said.
Despite these evolving challenges, Azeem Talib expressed confidence in Pakistan’s engineering sector, emphasizing that companies committed to quality, innovation, and continuous investment in human capital will continue to strengthen the country’s industrial growth and global competitiveness.
Concluding his remarks, Azeem Talib reaffirmed PEL’s commitment to continuous innovation, customer satisfaction, and international competitiveness. “Our objective is not only to strengthen PEL’s position in Pakistan but also to further expand our global footprint.
