Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum opens, attracting 300 foreign delegates

April 08, 2025 (MLN): The two-day Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum (PMIF-25), attracting around 300 foreign delegates, began on Tuesday with a focus on promoting investment in Pakistan’s mineral sector and supporting long-term economic growth.

The forum, held under the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, aims to highlight the country’s untapped mining and mineral potential to global investors.

Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the event, with delegates from countries including Saudi Arabia, China, the United States, Canada, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, the Czech Republic, Finland, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Denmark in attendance.

The forum also introduced a strategic roadmap for the development of the mineral sector to enhance Pakistan’s appeal as a destination for foreign investment.

Pakistan, known for its vast mineral resources, particularly in the Chagai district of Balochistan, is home to rich copper and gold deposits, as APP reported.

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, addressing the forum, welcomed the international delegates and highlighted the government’s achievements under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He emphasized that Pakistan’s economic stability was the result of consistent efforts and sound policies.

He further noted that the country’s foreign exchange reserves have increased, and quoting the IMF Managing Director, he mentioned that Pakistan’s economy is moving in the right direction due to structural reforms.

Minister Malik highlighted the country’s opportunities in the mineral sector and reiterated the government’s commitment to fully utilizing this potential.

He mentioned that Pakistan has achieved macroeconomic stability through structural reforms and currently boasts a current account surplus of $682 million.

Inflation has dropped to around one percent, and international organizations have acknowledged Pakistan’s progress.

The minister also pointed out that the government is working on simplifying laws to attract more foreign investment. Since mining is a provincial subject, full consultation with provinces is being ensured.

Key institutions such as the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Petroleum Division, and other relevant bodies are working together to bring investment into the mineral sector.

Highlighting the importance of Balochistan due to its rich copper and gold reserves, Minister Malik also mentioned the mineral wealth of other provinces.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is known for its gems and rare earth elements, Punjab has pink salt reserves, Sindh is abundant in coal and granite resources, Gilgit-Baltistan is rich in lithium, rare earth elements, and gemstones, and Azad Kashmir holds substantial mineral wealth.

In his address, Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister for Minerals expressed Saudi Arabia’s interest in a strategic partnership with Pakistan for the development of the mineral sector.

He acknowledged Pakistan’s strong potential in minerals and expressed a desire for future cooperation.

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