Majority of CPEC projects workers are Pakistanis – Ahsan Iqbal

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal recently informed the Senate that majority of the workers engaged for the CPEC projects were Pakistanis. He rejected the idea that CPEC projects were being managed by Chinese workforce.

“Majority of engineers and workers are from Pakistan. They are performing in power as well as project management sectors”.

He stated that in-time completion of projects was responsibility of the contractor and required  actions have been mentioned in contract in instance of delay in completion of the projects.
Several Pakistani engineers and workers were given training by Chinese companies to hire their services, Mr. Iqbal commented.
In reply to the a question he expressed that no such concession has been given to Chinese firms for import of goods for CPEC projects that may have an impact to the local manufacturers.

“This is fact that Pakistani cement, steel and other industry related to construction business were thriving and I was recently informed that cement industry was planning to double its production to meet the needs”.

Mr. Iqbal stated that the government had also taken steps such as training of unskilled employees  for CPEC projects while local engineers, managers and semi-skilled workers that are employed by Chinese contractors for CPEC are getting hands on experience in various fields.