KARACHI: Pakistan expects the demand for skilled manpower to grow exponentially as the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project expands.
“The total cost of CPEC projects has already gone from $46 billion to $62 billion and it is hoped that the total cost will rise to $100 billion by 2030,” Executive Director of the Planning Commission’s Center of Excellence (COE) for CPEC Dr. Shahid Rashid said in a press briefing on Thursday.
Many Pakistani institutes are now offering a range of courses — including Chinese-language — to enable Pakistani youths to find employment, and China has vowed to help set up a world-class vocational training institute in Islamabad. More institutes are expected to open in Pakistan in the near future to cover the expected rise in job opportunities offered by CPEC.
CPEC starts from Kashgar in Xinjiang, China, and reaches Karachi and Gwadar, on Pakistan’s south coast via the Khunjerab Pass.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing reiterated during a meeting with Executive Director of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema that CPEC will provide job opportunities to thousands of trained Pakistanis.
Jing vowed that China will soon initiate special programs for Pakistani trainers, which will enable them to teach hundreds of Pakistani workers every year how to use modern machinery and equipment.
Majyed Aziz Balagamwala, president of the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan and a member of the Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority, told Arab News that a training program “initiated with leading institutes” would produce 200,000 skilled workers in the next three years.
“We do not intend to just produce labor, our aim is to provide them with multiple skills so that they can get better jobs and play their role in the country’s economic uplift by contributing to CPEC,” he explained.
Analyst and CPEC expert Maqbool Afridi stressed the need to expand the skills of Pakistani workers.
“Chinese workers are highly technical. We need to change our attitude toward learning,” Afridi said. “If the Chinese can work with high tech knowledge, why can’t we?”
Afridi said CPEC is a world-class project that demands technically skilled manpower not only to run the projects, but also to balance the share of jobs between the two countries.
Despite substantial progress on CPEC, many are unhappy about how little information about the project has been shared with the public.
“We still don’t know much about the CPEC projects,” said Executive Director of National Organization for Working Communities Farhat Parveen. “The government has been secretive, instead of sharing information about the projects and the number of people required so that skilled workers are imparted with the required training.”
Pakistan looks to increase share of CPEC labor market
Pakistan looks to increase share of CPEC labor market
Pakistani envoy says bilateral trade with UAE crossed $10.9 billion in FY24
- Remittances from UAE expected to surge to $7 billion this fiscal year, says Pakistan’s Ambassador to UAE Faisal Tirmizi
- Says numbers reflect strong economic partnership between nations, Pakistani diaspora’s efforts to support UAE’s economy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s bilateral trade with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) surpassed $10.9 billion during the fiscal year 2023-24, the country’s envoy to the Gulf country said this week, noting that the figure represented the strong economic partnership both nations enjoyed.
Pakistan and UAE have both moved closer in recent months to establish a stronger economic partnership. In January 2024, Pakistan and the UAE signed multiple agreements worth more than $3 billion for cooperation in railways, economic zones and infrastructure.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States and a major source of foreign investment valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE’s foreign ministry.
“Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE Faisal Tirmizi revealed that bilateral trade between Pakistan and the UAE exceeded $10.9 billion in the fiscal year 2023–24, including both goods and services,” UAE’s state-run news agency WAM reported on Friday.
Tirmizi also disclosed that remittances from the Pakistani community in the UAE reached $6.7 billion in 2024, adding that they are expected to surpass $7 billion in 2025.
Tirmizi revealed that goods trade between the two countries during the fiscal year 2023–24 reached $8.41 billion, with Pakistan’s exports rising by 41.06% to $2.08 billion while imports from the UAE declined by 14.45% to $6.33 billion, resulting in a 28.28% reduction in the trade deficit.
In the services sector, he said total trade stood at $2.56 billion, marking a 20.54% year-on-year increase.
Tirmizi noted that during the period July 2024 to January 2025, goods trade rose by 21.63%, with Pakistan’s exports growing by 7.53%, indicating sustained momentum in economic engagement.
“These figures reflect not only the strength of our economic partnership but also the vital role played by the Pakistani diaspora in supporting the national economy,” Tirmizi said.
The Pakistani envoy said there are nearly 19 Emirati companies currently operating in Pakistan, adding that the UAE has invested significantly in Pakistan’s key sectors such as communications, services, tourism, information technology, oil and gas, housing, banking, and real estate.
He pointed out that leading UAE companies Abu Dhabi Ports Company and DP World’s had signed agreements related to port operations, including the development of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and related railway infrastructure projects.
“These investments demonstrate the UAE’s deep and long-term commitment to Pakistan’s growth and connectivity,” he added.
Multan Sultans pledge donations to Palestinian charities for every six and wicket
- In a PSL contest on Saturday, Quetta Gladiators defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 80 runs
- Karachi Kings also chased down Multan Sultans’ total of 234/3, securing a four-wicket victory
KARACHI: Multan Sultans, a franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), have announced a charitable initiative to support the Palestinian cause during the ongoing season, saying the team will donate Rs100,000 ($356) to Palestinian charities for every six hit and every wicket taken by their players.
The PSL, Pakistan’s premier T20 cricket league, enjoys immense popularity nationwide, drawing massive crowds and viewership.
The league has become a significant platform for cricketing talent and social initiatives.
“We [Multan Sultans] have decided that in this [Pakistan Super League] season, we will support charity [foundations] in Palestine,” Ali Khan Tareen, the franchise owner, said in a video message.
“We have decided, on behalf of our batters, that whenever any player from Multan Sultans hits a six, we will donate Rs100,000 to Palestinian charities,” he added. “Our bowlers also wanted to be a part of this [initiative], so we have decided that we will donate Rs100,000 to Palestinian charities, especially those working for children, on every wicket.”
The PSL, which kicked off in a star-studded ceremony in Rawalpindi on Friday, has once again captivated fans with thrilling matches and meaningful off-field initiatives.
On Saturday, Quetta Gladiators delivered a commanding performance, defeating Peshawar Zalmi by 80 runs. Quetta posted a formidable total of 216/3, with Saud Shakeel scoring 59 runs. In response, Zalmi were bowled out for 136, with Abrar Ahmed taking 4 wickets for 42 runs.
In another high-scoring encounter, Karachi Kings chased down Multan Sultans’ total of 234/3, securing a four-wicket victory. James Vince led the charge for Karachi with a blistering 101 off 43 balls.
Pakistan confirms killing of eight nationals in Iran, urges regional counterterrorism strategy
- Baloch separatists have claimed responsibility for killing the victims, who reportedly worked as auto mechanics
- Pakistani authorities say they are aware of the incident and are in contact with relevant Iranian officials
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan confirmed late Saturday night the killings of eight of its nationals in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasizing the need for all regional countries to come together to devise and enforce a coordinated counterterrorism strategy to eliminate militant violence.
The news of the killings first emerged in local media in the evening, though the country’s foreign ministry and federal authorities did not issue immediate statements.
However, the foreign office later confirmed the development in response to media queries.
“We are aware of this tragic incident and are in touch with Iranian authorities,” said spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan. “We will comment once facts are established and confirmed details are available.”
Khan added that Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in Zahedan had been in constant contact with the relevant Iranian authorities over the incident.
In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the killing of the eight Pakistani nationals and voiced concern over the attack on Iranian soil.
“Terrorism is a scourge that is devastating for all countries in the region,” he said. “All regional states must implement a coordinated strategy to root out terrorism.”
Sharif urged the Iranian government to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and ensure they are held accountable.
“The Iranian government must bring those responsible to justice and share the reasons behind this heinous act with the public,” he continued.
The prime minister also directed Pakistan’s foreign ministry to remain in contact with the victims’ families and instructed the embassy in Tehran to ensure the safe repatriation of the bodies.
Earlier in the day, Afghanistan’s Khaama Press News Agency reported the attack took place in the early hours of the day in a village in Mehrestan district, located near the Iran-Pakistan border. The outlet said the victims were auto mechanics.
However, the separatist Balochistan National Army (BNA) claimed responsibility for the attack later in the day, alleging that the slain workers were members of Pakistan’s premier spy agency.
Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has faced a low-level insurgency for nearly two decades. Baloch separatist groups accuse the central government of exploiting the region’s natural resources, such as gold and copper, without benefiting the local population.
Islamabad denies the allegations, saying it is committed to improving the lives of Baloch residents through various development projects.
Thousands of Pakistanis, mostly from economically disadvantaged regions, frequently cross into Iran to take up informal work in sectors such as vehicle repair, construction and agriculture.
In January last year, nine Pakistani laborers were killed and three critically injured in a similar attack in Saravan city, also located in Iran’s southeastern border region.
The victims in that case had also been working at an auto repair shop.
Last year’s killings took place at a time when Pakistan and Iran were trying to mend diplomatic ties following tit-for-tat missile and drone strikes.
Punjab CM invites Turkish universities to expand footprint in Pakistan at Antalya Diplomacy Forum
- Maryam Nawaz Sharif meets President Erdoğan and First Lady before addressing a session on education
- She says the provincial administration is committed to education and opportunities for women and children
ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday invited leading Turkish universities to expand their footprint in Pakistan’s most populous province while addressing a session focused on education at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025.
The annual forum, now in its fourth edition, is hosted under the patronage of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and aims to foster dialogue and cooperation on pressing global issues. This year’s theme, “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World,” has drawn world leaders, diplomats and civil society actors to discuss solutions to global challenges, including education, conflict and development.
Before her address, Sharif met with Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan. The Turkish president warmly welcomed and thanked her for participating in the forum.
“I take this opportunity to invite the top universities of Türkiye to expand their presence in Punjab, to create more centers of eminence, more centers of excellence where our youth can learn, grow and lead,” she said while addressing the gathering.
“Let us ensure that our collaboration and exchange programs become the foundation for a brighter, human-centric future, a future that both Pakistanis and Turkish generations will be proud to inherit,” she added.
The Punjab chief minister emphasized her provincial government’s commitment to transforming education landscape.
She outlined several reform initiatives, including the upgradation of more than 4,000 primary schools into elementary schools to combat generational dropouts, particularly in rural areas where children often leave school after Class 5 due to the absence of nearby middle schools.
“This upgradation is not a token gesture. It is a systemic intervention,” she said, adding that digital learning rooms were also being established in over 6,000 schools across the province to integrate technology with pedagogy.
Sharif also spoke of reviving non-functional schools and turning them into “sanctuaries of learning,” while highlighting a new nutrition program launched in underserved districts to address malnutrition among schoolchildren, especially girls.
“My government’s foremost commitment is to women and children, to education and opportunity, and to dignity and justice,” she said. “And it is in these arenas that I seek to construct a unique model of governance that is both ethical and effective.”
The chief minister further announced the creation of Pakistan’s first Artificial Intelligence University in Lahore and the development of the Nawaz Sharif Internet City, a hub intended to foster innovation and IT-based learning that is named after her father.
“We are recruiting about 30,000 new school teachers entirely on merit,” she informed, noting that the province had also established a dedicated institution for teacher training and curriculum development aligned with 21st-century learning goals.
Sharif positioned herself during the speech not only as a political leader but also as “an ambassador of education,” vowing to ensure that “no child is left behind due to poverty, geography, gender or social restrictions.”
Pakistan and Nigeria discuss enhanced counterterrorism and defense cooperation
- Both sides reaffirm resolve to boost security ties during General Sahir Shamshad Mirza’s visit
- Pakistan and Nigeria are members of Commonwealth and Organization of Islamic Cooperation
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, held high-level meetings with Nigeria’s defense minister and senior military leadership during an official visit to the African nation, with both sides agreeing to strengthen security cooperation, particularly in the field of counterterrorism, the Pakistani military said on Saturday.
Nigeria faces a range of counterterrorism challenges, primarily from Boko Haram and its affiliates, which have waged a years-long insurgency in the country’s northeast, marked by attacks, abductions and mass displacements.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has seen a resurgence in militant violence in its western provinces from groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch Liberation Army, with officials in Islamabad blaming them for cross-border attacks from Afghanistan, a charge Kabul denies.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Mirza met with Nigeria’s defense minister as well as the chiefs of the army, navy and air force. The meetings focused on “challenges faced by both countries, especially in the domain of counterterrorism,” as well as broader defense cooperation and regional security.
“During the separately-held meetings, both sides engaged in discussions on challenges faced by both countries especially in the domain of Counter Terrorism (CT) and areas of mutual interest, including security, defense cooperation, and the evolving international / regional landscape,” the ISPR said.
“Both sides reaffirmed the resolve to further enhance defense and military collaboration between both militaries,” it added.
Pakistan and Nigeria have maintained bilateral relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1961. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, sharing common interests in international forums.
Over the years, more than 2,000 Nigerian military personnel have received training in Pakistan, reflecting the scale of the defense collaboration between the two nations.
In recent years, Pakistan has also intensified its diplomatic and economic engagement with African nations under its “Engage Africa” policy, leading to the opening of new diplomatic missions across the continent to increase trade.
