Pakistan is taking decisive steps to transform its vast but underutilized mineral resources into a driver of strategic economic growth, as the country prepares to host the Second Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF26) on April 8–9 in Islamabad. With an estimated trillions of dollars in untapped reserves—including copper, gold, lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, and gemstones—Pakistan aims to position itself as an investment-ready and responsible player in the global minerals market. Despite its rich resource base, mineral exports remain minimal, and local communities have historically seen limited economic benefits. The upcoming PMIF26 seeks to change this trajectory by promoting transparency, policy reform, and international partnerships. The forum follows the success of PMIF25, which attracted over 5,000 delegates from 50 countries and resulted in 14 memorandums of understanding (MOUs). Pakistan’s mineral wealth is largely concentrated in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan, regions long underexplored due to security and infrastructure challenges. Among the flagship projects is Reko Diq, one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits, estimated to contain over 5.9 billion tonnes of ore. In addition, Pakistan’s gemstone reserves—valued at approximately $450 billion—remain vastly underexploited, with annual exports standing at just $5.8 million. To address this gap, the government has introduced the country’s first national gemstone policy framework, targeting $1 billion in exports within five years through certification reforms, value addition, and youth-led entrepreneurship. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the establishment of international-standard laboratories, certification systems, and centers of excellence to modernize the sector and attract private investment. The reforms aim to integrate local miners and communities into formal supply chains while improving productivity and export potential. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik has emphasized that PMIF26 will serve as a global platform for promoting sustainable mining, attracting foreign investment, and enhancing policy clarity. The forum will feature strategic conferences, technical sessions, an international gemstone exhibition, and a comprehensive resource library for investors. Pakistan is also strengthening international collaboration. A recent MOU between US-based Strategic Metals (USSM) and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO) highlights growing cooperation in critical minerals production and technology transfer. US officials have described such partnerships as vital to both economic and strategic security. Experts estimate that comprehensive development of Pakistan’s mineral and gemstone sector could add $5–7 billion annually to GDP over the next decade and create tens of thousands of jobs. The government has stressed that environmental protection, worker safety, ESG compliance, and domestic value addition will remain central to future mining projects. By processing minerals locally rather than exporting raw materials, Pakistan aims to maximize economic returns and ensure inclusive growth. As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, PMIF26 is being positioned as a strategic milestone—signaling Pakistan’s transition from untapped potential to measurable economic performance and sustainable development.
Pakistan Seeks to Unlock Trillions in Mineral Wealth at PMIF26
