CCECC: Improving Well-Being with Key Infrastructures in Pakistan

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), formerly the Foreign Aid Bureau of the Ministry of Railways of China, was established in 1979 and merged into China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) in 2003. Guided by "Diligence, Integrity, and Perseverance" at the very core of its corporate culture, CCECC over the years has developed into a large-scale SOE with presence in 110 countries and regions across the globe, and has been listed among the top 250 international contractors for 19 consecutive years by Engineering News Record (ENR). Our line of businesses covers project contracting, design & consulting, real estate and overseas industrial park, investment, hotel operation, trade & logistics and rail operation, etc.

CCECC established its branch office in Pakistan in 2015 with PEC Category C-A (no limit) certificate. In the past seven years, the company has undertaken several key infrastructure projects that have improved the well-being of our Pakistani brothers and sisters.

Key Transport Infrastructures

On March 16, 2015, CCECC signed contract agreements with Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for the relocation of Karakoram Highway (KKH-01) and construction of Right Bank Access Road (RAR-01) within the framework of the Dasu Hydropower Project. Despite repeated delays caused by security issues, social problems and natural disasters, CCECC is determined to deliver the RAR-01 by early February 2022, which will be the first project to be completed within the framework of the Dasu Hydropower Project.

The Inauguration Ceremony of RRA-01 (km 0 to km 9). [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As for KKH-01, the project's importance cannot be overemphasized as it will be the only road that connects the Sino-Pakistan Friendship Highway within Dasu area after the Dasu Dam is in service. To ensure safe and efficient operation of Sino-Pakistan Friendship Highway and timely delivery of the Dasu Hydropower Project, CCECC proposed optimization of design by introducing several bridges and tunnels to the original design. We are committed to delivering this critical highway within three years after the new design is approved.

CCECC, working with two local JV partners, is executing the project of re-construction and up-gradation of Main Runway at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. The main runway is designed with the highest civil aviation standard. With 3.35km length, 56cm thickness and Grade 4F PQC, it can accommodate Airbus A380 carriers after completion.

As one of the national priority projects launched by the Pakistani government, the aforesaid project is under direct monitoring of the Office of Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan. Amid the challenges of Covid-19, CCECC and Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) have reached "PQC casting completion" with excellent quality in December 2021. The project team is committed to working day and night to ensure delivery of the project in March 2022.

Allama Iqbal International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Pakistan. The airport after upgradation will further expand Pakistan's external connection window, promote local employment and boost regional development.

Completion Ceremony of Main Runway (PQC), Allama Iqbal International Airport. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Completed New Main Runway (PQC), Allama Iqbal International Airport. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Key Health-care Facilities

Apart from transport infrastructures, CCECC is also committed to building healthcare facilities that will benefit ordinary Pakistani people the most. The Pakistani government is establishing hospitals and schools in various cities across the country and CCECC is helping realize it.

CCECC-lead JV team in collaboration with the Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab (IDAP) is establishing mother and child hospitals and nursing schools in Attock and Layyah. On November 6, 2021, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan hosted the groundbreaking ceremony in Attock. Both projects are currently under construction at full capacity. CCECC will ensure their timely completion in 2023 so that mothers and children in the region can receive better health care as early as possible.

Groundbreaking of Mother and Child Hospital Attock by Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Our Social Responsibilities

As a renowned international corporation, CCECC not only strives to provide excellent engineering services for different employers in Pakistan, but also focuses on fulfilling its corporate social responsibilities.

Employment and Training: CCECC employs mostly local people to run business in Pakistan. The average number of local employees is around 600 every year, with over 3,000 employees at peak construction seasons. The average ratio of Chinese and Pakistani employees is about 1:10 according to different types of work, which creates a lot of employment for the locals. We also hold practical training courses on different projects to help transfer new construction technologies to the locals and improve their working skills.

Sharing and Learning Between Chinese and Pakistani Employees. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Disaster Relief: Dasu Region in KP Province of Pakistan is known for its steep cliffs with weathered rocks, which leads to rockfalls and mudslides causing loss of many lives every year. Since 2015, CCECC has always taken the initiative to mobilize its staff and heavy-duty equipment to assist local government and communities in removing rocks fallen on the Karakoram Highway and rescuing cars plunged into ravines and the Indus river. Our efforts are much appreciated by the locals, who usually call us "true China brothers".

Disaster Relief by CCECC in Joint Efforts with a Local Company. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

2021 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. Both governments vowed to further strengthen ties between the two countries. CCECC as a state-own Chinese company, always stands committed to working at its best capacity to improve the well-being of the people of Pakistan and promote Pak-China friendship.

We firmly believe that the two brotherly countries will build a shared and prosperous future together!