Pakistan’s construction industry, a cornerstone of national development, is crumbling under the weight of systemic exploitation. Thousands of engineers, surveyors and labourers toil for salaries that barely sustain dignity. Fresh civil engineers earn a meagre Rs30,000–60,000 monthly, while seasoned resident engineers with over a decade of experience scrape by on Rs120,000–180,000. This is scant compensation for the gruelling 10–12-hour shifts, six-day work weeks and meagre leaves that engineers enjoy. Multi-tasking is the norm. The government and the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), despite their mandates to safeguard engineering welfare, have abdicated responsibility: no national salary policy, no minimum wage enforcement, no penalties for contractors’ greed and no action against the brain drain that sends thousands of engineers abroad every year.
This is in stark contrast to the approach of regional peers. Pakistan’s undervaluation of its talent is fuelling one of South Asia’s largest engineering exoduses. In response, we must demand mandatory minimum wages from the PEC, compel government regulation of exploitative contractors and forge professional unity to end unfair workloads. Without fair compensation and respect, Pakistan’s skylines may rise, but its future will inevitably collapse.
Engr Shahid Ullah Khan Tator
Dera Ismail Khan
