Pakistan’s mineral exploration increasingly focused on strategic resources, minister tells investors
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said on Friday that Pakistan’s exploration efforts were increasingly focused on minerals that were of strategic importance to global investors. He was addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 (PMIF26) in Islamabad, where delegations, exhibitors and attendees have arrived from across the world to attend the event. As the two-day event opened on…
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik addressed the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad, emphasizing Pakistan's strategic focus on mineral exploration. The two-day event showcased the nation's vast mineral resources, including coal, salt, gold, and critical minerals. Malik highlighted that Pakistan's exploration efforts were bolstered by modern geochemical and geophysical surveys, exploratory drilling, and upgraded geoscience laboratories.
The government is advancing copper smelting to increase value chain involvement from mine to finished metal. Pakistan is also enhancing its mineral sector's scientific foundation through the Geological Survey of Pakistan, with a focus on detailed geological mapping and international technical cooperation. The minister stressed that infrastructure development, including upgrades to the Rohri-Nokundi railway corridor and Port Qasim, is crucial for connecting mineral-rich regions to global markets.
Pakistan aims to build an integrated, competitive, and sustainable mineral industry, offering investment opportunities in processing, refining, downstream industries, technology transfer, and employment creation. The success of these projects depends on the trust and support of local communities.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.