This study describes the feasibility of applying employment-intensive public works as a means of addressing the loss of jobs and income resulting from the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 in Pakistan. The recommendations made can also be used to address chronic shortages of employment opportunities as well as being a sound strategy for dealing with future economic shocks. The study also demonstrates how the EIPW approach can be applied to increase employment opportunities at no additional costs in existing government development programmes and the many types of work for which it is competitive to conventional equipment-intensive construction methods.