Posts

The Business of War: Material Consumption, Logistics and Event Management in Conflict and Its Aftermath

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War and armaments production constitute one of the largest and most lucrative industries worldwide, encompassing innumerable nations, corporations and supply chains. From the manufacture of advanced weaponry to the organisation of army supplies, conflicts engender vast economic activity—frequently at the expense of human lives and infrastructure. A single multimillion-dollar aeroplane may be felled by a low-cost missile, illustrating the starkly disproportionate economics of modern warfare.  A brief scrutiny of history reveals that war has persistently served as a profitable enterprise, affording various parties the chance to profit from destruction. The current hostilities in Gaza, the longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan, and the fraught relations involving Iran, Israel, the United States and its allies have already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and wrought widespread ruin. How War Fuels Commerce and Economic Activity Arms and Ammunition Trade – Demand...
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Problem with Chakwal

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I remember once I wrote about what forced me to leave my hometown. I talked about lack of opportunities and their costs. If someone suffers from a heart stroke in Chakwal, then there is a great probability that they might not survive. There is almost no health facility in Chakwal to treat such patients. There is only one public sector DHQ Hospital in whole district and some small private sector filter clinics, mostly providing OPD or first aid type diagnosis. There is not a single qualified cardiologist nor any healthcare facility to perform basic echo-cardiography or angioplasty.  And i have just scratched the surface, if someone has an ailment related to urinary system, then it is the unluckiest thing to have unfortunately, because there is no facility to treat such patients in Chakwal, neither you will find any qualified nephrologist or any urologist. There is one dialysis unit but that too is on and off functional. If you can coup with such devastation, then you might think of ...
Location: Chakwal, Pakistan
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Procurement means more profit

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Business leaders don’t wake up thinking about procurement. They think about growth, expansion, resilience, and competitive edge.  They strategize about new markets, product innovation, customer experience, and sustainability goals.  Yet, every major business initiative; whether it's scaling a new service, reducing operational risks, or driving digital transformation; can rely on a fundamental enabler: Procurement. Too often, procurement operates in the background, seen as an operational function rather than a strategic powerhouse.  But in reality, procurement sits at the intersection of value creation and business impact; let me explain: The right supplier strategy determines whether a company accelerates innovation or lags behind.  The right sourcing decisions influence whether sustainability targets are just marketing promises or actual business differentiators.  The right procurement model can unlock new revenue streams, mitigate risk, and fuel strategic grow...
Location: Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan
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Personal anecdotes of year 2024

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The end of a year is a time for reflection, celebration, and looking ahead to the new year. Rewinding Year 2024: 2024 showed me that growth in procurement isn't just about cost savings - it's about building systems that scale. Moving from tactical purchasing to strategic procurement leadership taught me that sustainable impact comes from implementing robust systems across larger organizations. This year marked significant milestones in that journey: • Advanced to Senior Procurement Executive role at Chinoy Engineering & Construction • Developed comprehensive supplier relationship management frameworks • Maintained active engagement in procurement community leadership • Continued role as Ambassador for The Sustainable Procurement Pledge Looking ahead to 2025: Implementing advanced procurement systems at Chinoy Engineering while focusing on strategic sourcing initiatives that drive both efficiency and sustainability. Our focus remains on building scalable procurement framewor...
Location: Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
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Returning back to my hometown

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It’s weird, like stepping back in time except the buildings are older and more run down and everyone has aged a lot. I’m always reminded why I left. Every time I go back, I feel both suffocated and frustrated by how closed-minded and spiteful those busybodies have remained and relieved that I got out and had the opportunity to grow personally, professionally and to broaden my horizons. However, due to general population turnover I don’t know very many people here anymore. I feel like an alien in a place I know like the back of my hand. It’s distinctly different from the anonymity of city life. Everyone knows everyone, but no one knows me. It’s very odd. I have been home for longer periods of time than I have been in years. The city I currently live in is similar to my hometown so in some ways my life is similar. I’m actually really sad to see what’s happening to my hometown.  You can go back to it, but it is never the same place. When you return there's some people you knew that ha...
Location: Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan
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Are we ready for the future of Procurement?

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The skillset required of procurement professionals is evolving rapidly, and the procurement landscape of today will look drastically different in ten years. In fact, the landscape of work in general will be drastically different.  A  Gartner survey revealed a startling truth: an extraordinarily low 14% of procurement leaders believe they are ready for the future. This is a wake-up call.  The procurement professional of tomorrow will need to master new technologies, embrace innovative strategies, and develop advanced analytical capabilities. Yet, many teams are still playing catch-up with the present demands, let alone future challenges.  We need to vastly improve our readiness for what’s ahead. Here’s what we can start doing now:  Invest in Continuous Learning: Encourage ongoing education and training to keep skills sharp and up to date.  Embrace Technology: Integrate advanced tools and technologies to streamline processes and enhance decision-making....
Location: Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
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To Avoid Procurement Splintering

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A procurement manager I know recently told me a story about a supply crisis where a key supplier unexpectedly shuttered their doors. The manager's proactive efforts to build relationships with other suppliers kept the company going and saved the company from disaster.  This incident highlighted one of the most important aspects of procurement: building and maintaining good supplier relationships. This is not just a good practice, it is essential risk management tactic.  Here are some simple strategies to improve supplier relationships Regular Communication : Keep open lines of dialogue to address issues early and share success stories. Joint Innovation : Collaborate on new projects or improvements, which can lead to better outcomes for both parties. Performance Feedback : Provide constructive feedback regularly, allowing suppliers to improve and adapt. Recognition : Acknowledge your suppliers’ achievements; this can motivate them to maintain high performance. Long-Term Commitm...
Location: Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
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