In Brief
Minerals Investment Forum 2025: Who said what
On 8 April, several important leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir attended a two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25) being held in Islamabad. The event is geared towards showcasing Pakistan’s mineral wealth and attracting foreign direct investments and partnerships in the sector. The event was attended by around 2000 participants, including 300 “international delegates” from countries like the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Finland, Denmark, and Kenya. It is being organized by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025: Who said what?
In his opening speech, Dar claimed that Pakistan is “strategically positioned to emerge as a global mining powerhouse.” He highlighted that Pakistan possesses “vast reserves of rare earth elements, industrial minerals, and globally sought-after gemstones like peridot and emerald.” He also cited as an example the Reko Diq project, which is a copper-gold major deposit. Further, Dar inaugurated the National Minerals Harmonization Framework 2025 which is an “integrated reform initiative designed to attract investors and streamline policy.”
PM Sharif highlighted the abundance of mineral resources in Pakistan and invited both “local and foreign investors” to invest in the sector. Sharif emphasized on the need to build local capacity and export finished products versus raw materials. In this regard, he stressed that all future agreements would mandate the setting up of “downstream industries” and shipping out of raw materials will be disallowed. He also urged technology transfers and provisions for local vocational training as part of any future deals. He assured possible investors of the provincial and federal government’s full support. Sharif also claimed that an optimum and judicious utilization of the country’s vast mineral resources could help the country be free from “crippling foreign debts” and terminate its dependence on international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund.
Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir expressed optimism that Pakistan is at the cusp of becoming a major player in the “international mineral economy.” He also urged international entities to invest and collaborate with Pakistan in the sector. Emphasizing that “economic security has now emerged as a vital component of national security,” he assured all investors and collaborators of the Pakistan army’s support. He highlighted that the army will “ensure a robust security framework and proactive measures.” Gen Munir pointed out the lack of adequate number of “engineers, geologists, operators, and skilled miners” in the country and informed that Pakistani students are being sent to different countries for skill development. He stressed on the need to expand investments in “refining and value addition.” He also praised the tribal leaders of Balochistan for their support in fostering development in the sector.
NRL Chairman and Lucky Cement CEO Muhammad Ali Tabba revealed that in the resource rich province of Balochistan, gold and copper deposits have been discovered in the Chagai district. NRL is a private Pakistani company. This finding was a result of explorations conducted over last 18 months in a licensed area of 500 sq km across 16 “potential mineral sites.” Initial findings have indicated the presence of copper, gold and silver. NRL has also reiterated its commitment to the well-being of the local community by “supporting clean water, education, healthcare, and jobs.” NRL has also claimed that it mostly employs locals, with the figure around 90 per cent.
References
“Army will secure investors invited to tap resources,” Dawn, 9 April 2025
Israr Khan, Jamila Achakzai, Khalid Mustafa & Muhammad Anis, “Mineral reserves can pay off debts, says PM,” The News International, 9 April 2025
“Pakistan ready to lead global mineral economy: COAS Gen Asim Munir,” The Express Tribune, 8 April 2025
“Trillions of dollars in minerals can free Pakistan from IMF dependence: PM Shehbaz,” The Express Tribune, 8 April 2025
|
The PPP wanted to bring a resolution in the National Assembly against the six new canals, but the PML-N refused to support the resolution. The PPP can make as many threats and strong statements as it wants, but the PML-N ministers say with a meaningful smile that the PPP will not go anywhere
- Hamid Mir
If the government does not reduce interest rates, poverty and unemployment will increase.
Miftah Ismail
- Nadeem Malik
When we have to live in slavery, then ask yourself why we were free!
- PTI
|
|
|
|
"The only way out of this situation is a truth, justice, and reconciliation process that prioritises country above every other."
- An opinion in Dawn, 'Post-Eid reflections.’
|
|
|
