Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum opens in Islamabad

April 08, 2025 (MLN): A two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum opened at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad today.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan is strategically positioned to emerge as a global mining powerhouse underpinned by its unparalleled geological wealth.

He outlined that Pakistan is home to monumental reserves like Reko Diq, according to the press release issued.

Pakistan also hosts vast resources of rare earth elements, industrial minerals, non-metallics, and gemstones, including globally sought-after peridote and emerald, he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that with this vast untapped mineral potential, Pakistan's resource corridor is poised to reshape global supply chains and attract foreign direct investment.

Ishaq Dar said the government has prioritized the strategic development of the mining sector through progressive policy reforms and investor-centric initiatives, laying the foundation for a robust ecosystem that delivers value for all stakeholders.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this investment forum provides a unique platform for stakeholders, partners, and friendly countries to explore new prospects and build mutually beneficial partnerships.

CEO Barrick Gold Mark Bristow said the Reko Diq copper-gold project will be the beacon that leads Pakistan into the race of the top global mining jurisdictions. In addition to economic benefits, it will create thousands of jobs.

Mark Bristow said the feasibility study of Reko Diq has been completed, and this mine is set to become one of the lowest-cost copper producers in the world.

He said the first production from Reko Diq is planned for 2028 and targets 0.24 tons of copper and three hundred thousand ounces of gold per annum.

Later participating in a discussion session, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal emphasized that Pakistan is the destination for investment in the minerals.

He said our resources are potentially so high that these will definitely attract a lot of investment and interest from local and foreign companies.

Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik says Pakistan possesses vast mineral wealth and offers numerous opportunities for global investment.

The Minister said the incumbent government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has successfully stabilized the economy.

He emphasized that the government has achieved macroeconomic stability through a series of structural reforms.

Ali Pervaiz Malik noted that Pakistan's current account balance has recorded a surplus of 682 million dollars, while the inflation rate has decreased to approximately 1%.

The Minister also pointed out that the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has also become one of the best-performing stock markets in the world.

He said international organizations have recognized that Pakistan's economy is heading in the right direction.

Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government has streamlined both fiscal and legal frameworks to encourage investment in the mineral sector.

On this occasion, he gave a detailed presentation about the reserves of natural and mineral resources in Pakistan.

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