Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform and Statistics Division Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar on Friday emphasized the need to maintain a database of Pakistani students and graduates from China in various fields to have a ready pool of skilled human resource. He stated that the pool could be utilized in various areas under CPEC framework as the scope of mega project widens. The Minister was talking to a delegation of Chinese Studies Centre of Excellence, National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) here at Islamabad on Friday. Project Director CPEC Hassan Daud and senior officials of the ministry were also present in the meeting. The Minister noted that the incumbent Government in consultation with the Chinese Government has widened the scope of CPEC with inclusion of cooperation on agriculture, poverty alleviation, socio-economic and skill development under its umbrella. The Minister noted that approximately 25000 Pakistani students are currently studying in China. He added that Pakistani students graduating from China in related fields could play an important role in expediting the progress on CPEC and make it a success. The Minister highlighted that the Government will soon initiate a number of pilot projects for poverty alleviation as well as launches various socio-economic development initiatives for betterment of the masses adding that Pakistani experts in these fields could play an important role in this regard. It was apprised that Centre of Excellence for CPEC, PIDE and Planning Ministry in collaboration with HEC and NAVTTC are developing a well-planned online job portal to have availability of skilled labour force. The Minister said that Chinese Studies Centre of Excellence at NUST can also help to register Pakistani graduates from China on the online job portal to help increase the employability chances of young scholars. Published in Daily Times, February 16th 2019.