Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday invited both local and foreign investors to capitalize on Pakistan’s estimated trillions of dollars in mineral resources.
Launching the two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25) in Islamabad, he hoped that utilizing its resources would enable the country to reduce its dependency on global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Emphasizing the importance of processing and exporting finished and semi-finished mineral products, he said this would prove more beneficial to the economy than merely shipping raw materials abroad.
Sharif proposed that any investment agreements should include the transfer of technology to Pakistan over time to ensure long-term benefits. He also encouraged entrepreneurs to explore joint ventures focused on establishing vocational training centers in the country to help train Pakistan’s youth in modern skills, further boosting industrial capabilities.
The premier assured the forum that the federal and provincial governments, along with other institutions, were united in positioning Pakistan as one of the leading nations in mineral resource management.
The two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 aims to attract foreign direct investment and forge long-term partnerships by highlighting Pakistan’s mineral potential. Over 2,000 people, including 300 international delegates from the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Finland, Denmark, and Kenya, were in attendance.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the country was “strategically positioned to emerge as a global mining powerhouse.” He said Pakistan was home to major deposits such as Reko Diq, as well as vast reserves of rare earth elements, industrial minerals, and globally sought-after gemstones like peridot and emeralds.
Dar marked the event by launching National Minerals Harmonization Framework 2025, an integrated reform initiative designed to attract investors and streamline policy in a sector that currently contributes just 3.2% to the national GDP. “The mineral sector can redefine our economy, supply chains, and export profile,” he said. “We are laying the foundation of a robust ecosystem for stakeholders, including local and foreign partners,” he vowed.
Army chief
In his address, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Asim Munir said Pakistan is ready to emerge as a leader in the global mineral economy. He said Pakistan welcomes international institutions to introduce their expertise, explore investment opportunities, and partner with the country in developing its vast resource potential.
The Army chief emphasized that Pakistan needs engineers, geologists, operators and skilled mining professionals to harness its mineral wealth. He said this was why students were being sent abroad for training to advance this sector. He said 27 Pakistani students from Balochistan were being trained in mineral exploration in Zambia and Argentina, adding the ultimate goal is to develop a strong workforce, expertise, and human resources for the mineral sector.
Gen. Munir stressed economic security has become a critical component of national security, and assured the participants that the Pakistan Army would ensure a robust security framework and proactive measures to safeguard the interests and trust of partners and investors. He also emphasized that the development of upstream and downstream mineral industries in Pakistan will be prioritized.
The Army chief stressed the importance of investing in refining and value addition in Pakistan to optimize costs and diversify markets. He said the country’s vast mineral reserves, skills training, and a transparent mineral policy would prove a boon for the country.
He also urged the people to move forward and strive for both their country and themselves.
Gen. Munir emphasized that Pakistanis collectively assure their partners and investors that utilizing their expertise for business and mineral wealth extraction is a national aspiration. He emphasized Pakistan can be trusted as a reliable partner with confidence. He also acknowledged the efforts of Baloch tribal elders who have played a crucial role in promoting mining activities and advancing the development of Balochistan. He said that, through collaboration, Pakistan’s mineral sector could foster regional development, prosperity and sustainability for collective benefit.