By Asghar Ali Mubarak
The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 has opened a new window of opportunity for the country’s economy. With representatives from more than 60 countries, international mining companies, diplomats and financial institutions attending the two-day event in Islamabad, Pakistan has a chance to turn its vast mineral wealth into a source of lasting economic growth. But attracting investors will be only the first step. The real test will be whether the government can translate international interest into productive investment, industrial development and tangible benefits for ordinary people.
Held at the Jinnah Convention Centre in collaboration with the government and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the forum reflects growing international interest in Pakistan’s mineral sector. Its message is straightforward: the country wants to move beyond dependence on borrowing and make its natural resources a foundation for economic self-reliance.
Pakistan is well placed to benefit from changing global demand. The transition towards renewable energy, electric vehicles and advanced technologies has increased the importance of critical minerals, including copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, chromite, antimony and rare earth elements. Major economies are competing to secure reliable supplies of these resources. Pakistan’s mineral deposits therefore offer an opportunity not only to attract foreign investment but also to strengthen its position in the emerging global supply chain.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, while inaugurating the forum, stressed that the government wanted to develop domestic processing, refining and value-added industries rather than continue exporting raw materials. This is an important policy direction. For decades, Pakistan has lost economic value by selling unprocessed resources and importing finished products at considerably higher prices. Developing local industries would increase export earnings, create skilled jobs and strengthen the country’s industrial base.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb described mining as a potential game changer, while Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik highlighted its importance for economic stability and export growth. Government projections suggest that mineral exports, valued at around $932m in 2025, could reach $10.46bn annually by 2039 if reforms and new projects are successfully implemented. The target is ambitious, but achievable if investment is supported by consistent policies and effective administration.
The participation of provincial leaders was another encouraging feature. Mineral development cannot succeed without close cooperation between the federal government and the provinces, which have constitutional authority over their resources. The SIFC provides a platform for coordination, but lasting progress will depend on transparent decision-making and respect for provincial responsibilities.
Balochistan, which accounts for about 44 per cent of Pakistan’s land area and holds substantial mineral deposits, remains central to this opportunity. The Reko Diq copper and gold project has attracted international attention through the involvement of Barrick Gold, Saudi Arabia and other partners. Saindak, Chagai, Khuzdar and Lasbela also offer considerable potential. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti assured investors that security arrangements were being strengthened, including the establishment of another security division to protect the mineral corridor.
However, the province’s mineral future cannot be separated from the welfare and confidence of its people. Investment will remain difficult to sustain unless local communities see genuine improvements in their lives. Employment, education, healthcare, clean water and better infrastructure must form part of every major mining project. Balochistan should not simply become a source of raw materials while its population remains excluded from the benefits.
Other regions also have considerable potential. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has deposits of emeralds, chromite, marble and granite, while Gilgit-Baltistan offers opportunities in gemstones and other minerals. Sindh’s Thar coal reserves and Punjab’s salt, gypsum, limestone and iron deposits add to the country’s mineral potential. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said provincial mineral revenues had risen to Rs40bn over the past two and a half years. She also highlighted placer gold deposits in rivers and the potential to increase earnings through value addition in the pink salt industry.
International confidence will nevertheless depend on more than the availability of resources. Investors need policy continuity, transparent taxation, reliable dispute resolution, security and clear guarantees for the repatriation of profits. The participation of US ambassador-designate Natalie Baker, who described Pakistan as a promising market for business and investment, reflected the growing international attention surrounding the sector.
The government must now address the practical obstacles that have held back mining for decades. Large projects require substantial capital, modern technology and years of planning before production begins. Political uncertainty, bureaucratic delays and security concerns can discourage investors before projects reach completion. Infrastructure is equally important. Roads, railways and reliable transport links are needed to connect remote mining areas with Gwadar and Karachi ports. Without efficient logistics, the cost of extracting and exporting minerals will remain high, weakening Pakistan’s competitiveness.
(The writer is a senior journalist covering various beats, can be reached at metromorning78@gmail.com)
