ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 28th Apr, 2026) The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in Balochistan have so far created or engaged 7,313 workers under completed and under-implementation schemes. In contrast, another 10,425 jobs are projected for future phases and pipeline projects.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the employment figures cover road infrastructure, energy, water, industrial, health, education and port-related projects. The documents also show that while many jobs have already been created or workers engaged during construction and execution, a separate set of jobs remains projected or expected under upcoming and pipeline initiatives.
The Surab-Hoshab (N-85) project created a total of 101 jobs, all provided to locals. In the Gwadar-Hoshab-Awaran-Naal sections of M-8 and the Khuzdar-Basima project, 616 locals were engaged through project contractors.
The Nokandi-Mashkail-Panjgur project created 82 temporary jobs during its execution. The HUBCO Coal Power Project created 627 jobs, of which 170 were provided to Balochistan domicile holders.
The New Gwadar International Airport generated 107 jobs, including 63 employees with Balochistan domicile, exceeding the Federal government-prescribed 6% quota. At Gwadar Port and Free Zone, 216 jobs were created, including 214 for residents.
The documents further show that during the construction of Eastbay Expressway (Phase I), about 1,400 workers were engaged, of whom 200 were locals. Phase II of the project is currently at the planning stage. During construction around the Technical and Vocational Institute, Gwadar, 1,500 workers were engaged, including 450 locals.
At the 1.2 MGD Desalination Plant, Gwadar, about 330 workers were engaged during construction, including 165 locals.
In the Bostan Special Economic Zone, existing industrial units have generated 426 jobs, all for residents.
The 15,000 Solar Powered Lighting Equipment Project created around 1,100 contractual jobs, primarily for residents. Similarly, the necessary facilities of fresh water treatment and supply in Gwadar created 320 jobs, including 270 local jobs.
The Pak-China Friendship Hospital, Gwadar, created 515 jobs, of which 441 were provided to Balochistan domicile holders. Westbay Expressway, Gwadar, created 100 jobs, including nine local jobs, while the school at Faqeer Colony, Gwadar, created 51 jobs, including 24 local jobs.
Taken together, these completed or under-implementation projects account for 7,313 jobs already created or workers engaged in Balochistan.
Separately, the documents list 10,425 more jobs as projected or expected under future phases and pipeline projects. In the Bostan Special Economic Zone, plots allotted to 24 enterprises are expected to generate around 8,030 additional jobs, predominantly for locals.
The fresh water treatment and supply project in Gwadar is expected to create an additional 300 jobs. The Saindak Copper/Gold Mining Project is projected to create around 1,120 jobs, with approximately 950 jobs earmarked for residents, particularly from Chagai district and adjoining areas.
Likewise, the 300MW Coal Power Plant, Gwadar, is expected to generate approximately 575 jobs during construction and operation phases, including 43 positions projected for local employment. The Gwadar Smart Environmental and Sanitation System is expected to create approximately 200 temporary construction jobs, including 150 local hires, and an additional 200 operational jobs, with priority for residents.
