Dar says Pakistan is well placed to attract global investors as vast mineral reserves offer significant opportunities for investment and growth in the mining sector
By Pervaiz Mughal
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called for closer cooperation between the federal and provincial governments to develop Pakistan’s mineral resources and ensure that local communities benefited from the sector.
Senator Ishaq Dar was speaking at the opening session of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 (PMIF-26) in Islamabad, where he also inaugurated the forum’s international exhibition. He highlighted Pakistan’s improving macroeconomic indicators and its considerable mineral potential.
Dar said the country had significant opportunities to attract international investment and develop its mining sector. He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to working closely with all provinces to ensure that mineral development created employment opportunities for local people, supported skills development and contributed to the economic well-being of communities.
The deputy prime minister stressed that the benefits of mineral exploration and investment should extend to people living in resource-rich areas. Local employment and professional training, he said, were important elements of sustainable mineral development.
Dar also highlighted economic diplomacy as a central pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He said the government was working to expand international investment partnerships and strengthen economic ties with other countries.
The deputy prime minister pointed to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and its single-window facilitation mechanism as an important platform for supporting investors and improving coordination among relevant institutions.
Those attending included the federal minister for petroleum, the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan. The prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir also attended the event. Members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of think tanks, international financial institutions and global mining companies were also present.
Iftikhar Gilani said Azad Jammu and Kashmir offered significant opportunities for investment in the minerals sector. He assured investors that they would receive all possible support and facilities.
Amjad Hussain said Gilgit-Baltistan had introduced an online portal to facilitate mineral exploration licences and other related services. He said the regional government was working to create a favourable environment for investment.
Maryam Nawaz said the provincial government wanted to turn Punjab’s natural resources into shared prosperity. She said it was exploring commercial partnerships to develop the minerals sector and was also offering land at affordable rates to support businesses and attract investment.
