The latest information of jobs created by China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Early Harvest Projects (EHP) as the official data shows that more than 30,000 Pakistani engineers and workers have got direct employment under this project.
Perception that only Chinese have been hired by Chinese companies working on CPEC projects is lacks truth, said officials.
According to the data of Planning Commission, around 8000 Chinese are working on these projects. Average strength of Chinese workers never crossed the figure of 25 % of the total employees.
It is estimated that the employment opportunities for local youth will maximize with implementation of mega projects in mid to long term of CPEC.
International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated that CPEC will support to create around 400,000 jobs while Applied Economics Research Centre (AERC) estimated that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is expected to create over 700,000 direct jobs between 2015 and 2030 and add 2 to 2.5 points to the annual economic growth of the country.
The estimates of Planning Commission show that the figure may go much higher as CPEC would generate around 800,000 jobs over the period of next 15 years.
Presently, the mega energy projects under CPEC contributed majority of jobs where 16,000 Pakistanis are hired as laborer and engineers. Port Qasim Coal Power project is the top one which created jobopportunities for 5,000 Pakistanis. Sahiwal Coal Power Plant Project and Zonergy Solar Power Project stand second in list with 3,000 jobs each. “Around 300 to 500 engineers are working on these energy projects which would surely help in transfer of knowledge in these sector, thus helping the country to have its own trained human resource” said officials.
With implementation of two more project in energy sector; Sukki Kinari and Karot, would generate around 6,000 jobs for Pakistani engineers and workers. “Huge number of Pakistani civil and electrical engineers could grab this opportunity where hydropower projects are under execution” said officials.
Besides, energy portfolio, CPEC Transport Infrastructure Sector stands second in creating around 13,000 jobs for locals. The data shows that 9,800 Pakistanis are working on Peshawar-Karachi Motorway (Multan Sukkur Section), a biggest infrastructure project under CPEC.
Total number of people employed in transport-related projects hover around 13,000 people with KKH Havelian section, Orange Line Metro Lahore and Fibre Optics projects being other major employers. The free zone project in Gwadar is expected to provide both direct and indirect jobs amounting to 2,500.
