Al-Khorayef praised Pakistan’s role in the forum, noting the world’s growing focus on mining and the strategic importance of critical minerals
By Amir Muhammad Khan
RIYADH: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to deepen cooperation in the mining and minerals sector, focusing on joint investment opportunities and closer collaboration across the entire mineral value chain, officials said on Tuesday.
Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, is currently leading the Pakistani delegation at the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) 2026 in Riyadh, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. On the sidelines of the forum, Malik met with Bandar Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, the Saudi minister responsible for the sector, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties and technical cooperation.
Al-Khorayef welcomed Pakistan’s participation in the forum, highlighting that global attention was increasingly turning toward mining and critical minerals. He pointed to Pakistan’s young and dynamic workforce as a key asset and emphasized the kingdom’s readiness to offer technical expertise and knowledge resources to support Pakistan’s mineral sector.
Malik, in turn, underscored the strong fraternal relations between the two countries and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to broadening cooperation. He noted that the Geological Survey of Pakistan was exploring collaboration with the Saudi Geological Survey and highlighted the untapped potential of Pakistan’s mineral-rich Tethyan Belt, with Reko Diq cited as just one example.
He also suggested that sectors such as fertilizer production and medical equipment manufacturing could provide promising opportunities for joint ventures. During his visit to the Pakistan Pavilion at FMF 2026, Al-Khorayef praised the Pakistani team for the pavilion’s distinctive design and visual impact, noting it showcased the country’s geological wealth and flagship mining projects.
Pakistan’s participation at the forum, organized by Pakistan Petroleum Limited in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, is themed “Mineral Marvel – Unleashing Pakistan’s Mineral Revolution.” The Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy, welcomed the delegation and lauded Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Minister Malik for promoting Pakistan’s presence at the forum, describing it as a step that would further strengthen the longstanding brotherly ties between the two nations.
