Pakistan has stepped up efforts to attract international investment in its mineral sector, with provincial leaders presenting exploration opportunities, financial incentives and development plans at the two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad.
The event has brought together more than 60 international participants, including investors, mining executives, policymakers and industry experts, as the government seeks to turn the country’s mineral wealth into export growth, industrial development and long-term economic opportunities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, addressing the forum on Thursday, said Pakistan was at a pivotal point in its economic journey and aimed to diversify its export base by utilising its extensive geological and mineral resources.
He described Balochistan as central to Pakistan’s mineral future, highlighting growing global demand for copper and other critical minerals amid the transition towards clean energy.
Dar also stressed that environmental protection must go hand in hand with economic development, adding that mineral development had become a strategic national priority. He cited the Pakistan Investment Policy 2023 as part of the government’s efforts to provide protection and a more predictable environment for investors.
Punjab Offers Financing and Tax Incentives to Investors
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz highlighted the province’s mineral resources and announced that revenue generated by the Mines and Minerals Department had increased fourfold, from Rs10 billion to Rs40 billion, over the past two and a half years.
She said Punjab possessed deposits of emeralds, marble, granite, gold, gemstones, copper, pink salt and rock salt. She also referred to Chiniot’s estimated 261.5 million tonnes of iron ore, which she said could be processed into steel.
The chief minister highlighted opportunities to add value to pink salt rather than exporting it in raw form. The provincial government, she said, was offering interest-free financing to miners to encourage processing and the production of finished goods.
She also referred to evidence of placer gold deposits in rivers in the Mianwali and Attock areas, where surveys and studies are underway to assess the available quantities. According to Maryam, associated sand and gravel deposits may also contain rare earth elements and other valuable minerals.
To attract international partners, Punjab is offering several incentives, including concessional land leases, financing of up to Rs5 billion under different schemes and government-supported solar installations to reduce energy costs.
The province is also promoting its mineral processing zone in Quaidabad, Khushab, where investors can obtain land under a 15-year lease arrangement with the possibility of extension.
Maryam said mining-related procedures, including licensing, bidding, renewals and work orders, had been digitised to improve transparency and reduce bureaucratic delays.
Sindh Highlights Coal and Lithium Potential
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah urged international investors and technical experts to visit the provinces and explore opportunities directly rather than limiting their engagements to Islamabad.
He said the provincial government was examining projects to convert coal into fertiliser and gas, expressing hope that these initiatives could be finalised within the next year.
Shah also referred to promising lithium reserves in Sindh, saying he had recently discussed the matter with the chairman and managing director of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL).
He said the provincial government wanted the potential reserves to be properly explored over the coming year, given lithium’s importance as a strategic mineral.
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Balochistan and K-P Emphasise Investor Confidence
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti outlined plans involving the oil and gas sector, including the Saruna and Sui Fertiliser cities. He also said the province intended to digitise its minerals department before July 2027.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said building confidence among domestic and international investors remained a priority. He emphasised the importance of long-term partnerships rather than focusing solely on immediate financial commitments.
Kundi also expressed hope that improvements in peace and stability would strengthen investor confidence in the province before the next forum.
Government Highlights Reforms and Sustainable Mining
Earlier, Petroleum Secretary Hameed Yaqoob Sheikh said Pakistan possessed substantial deposits of copper, gold, chromite, coal, gemstones and other critical minerals, offering significant opportunities for international investment.
He said the government was pursuing reforms to make the mining sector more transparent and investor-friendly while ensuring that mineral development took place responsibly, with minimal environmental damage and benefits shared equitably with citizens.
Sheikh also highlighted the start of offshore exploration with support from Türkiye.
The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 is intended to strengthen international partnerships across exploration, processing, technology and sustainable mining. Discussions are also focusing on geological data sharing, financing early-stage exploration, workforce development and infrastructure required to support large-scale mining projects.
The forum’s second day is scheduled to feature discussions on investor-ready mining jurisdictions, policy reforms, regional cooperation, local value addition and export infrastructure.
Source: The Express Tribune, Radio Pakistan, Associated Press of Pakistan.
