Farooq Awan

Public investment initiatives approved and recommended during the current fiscal year are expected to generate more than 108,000 employment opportunities across the country, reflecting the government’s focus on translating development spending into tangible livelihood benefits.

According to the Monthly Development Update (February 2026) issued by the Economic Policy Wing of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, development projects reviewed in January 2026 are projected to create approximately 35,167 direct jobs and around 73,505 indirect employment opportunities over the medium term.

The report notes that employment generation remains a central objective of public investment policy, aimed at promoting inclusive growth and strengthening household incomes. By linking infrastructure and social sector projects with job creation, authorities seek to ensure that development spending delivers broad-based economic gains.

In addition to medium-term employment effects, the projects will also create 2,179 positions directly tied to project execution. These include administrative, technical and operational roles required during implementation. Such positions support immediate employment needs while facilitating the completion of planned schemes.

The broader employment impact extends beyond project sites. Indirect jobs are expected to arise through supply chains, ancillary services and related economic activities triggered by development works. These multiplier effects typically benefit local businesses, contractors, transport services and small enterprises connected to project operations.

The report highlights that public investment in sectors such as infrastructure, education, health and community services often stimulates job creation across a wide spectrum of skills. Construction activities generate demand for labor and materials, while social sector initiatives create opportunities in service delivery and maintenance.

Employment-focused development spending is seen as particularly important in supporting economic inclusion. By creating work opportunities across regions and sectors, projects can contribute to income stability and help improve living standards for a large segment of the population.

The Planning Commission’s assessment indicates that integrating employment considerations into project planning enhances the socio-economic returns of public expenditure. Evaluating job potential during project design ensures that development initiatives not only build assets but also generate meaningful economic opportunities.

A detailed review of project planning documents, including PC-I proposals, was undertaken to assess these employment impacts. The estimates cover a medium-term horizon of three to five years, reflecting both construction-phase and operational benefits expected from the projects.

The anticipated creation of more than 108,000 jobs underscores the scale at which development initiatives can influence livelihoods. By combining direct hiring with indirect economic activity, public investments are expected to support a wide network of employment opportunities.

The report suggests that continued emphasis on labor-intensive and service-oriented projects can further enhance employment outcomes. Sustained development spending aligned with job creation objectives is expected to remain a key element of the government’s growth strategy.

With tens of thousands of jobs projected across sectors, the latest development portfolio highlights the role of public investment not only in building infrastructure but also in strengthening employment and supporting inclusive economic progress.

Credit: INP-WealthPk