Islamabad, Pakistan: The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 started in Islamabad on Tuesday. Several foreign geologists, mineral experts, diplomats, and international investment firms are participating in the Forum.
The 2-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 will promote investment in the mineral sector, where delegations from the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Finland and Turkey, among other countries, are participating. Chief Ministers of Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh are also present in the Forum.
Pakistan, under military and civil leadership, is showcasing Pakistan’s mineral deposits to domestic and international organizations and inviting them to contribute their expertise, explore investment opportunities, and partner with Pakistan in developing Pakistan’s vast resource potential.
Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, while addressing the forum, emphasized the demand of mining engineers, geologists, operators, and skilled mining professionals to explore the mineral wealth of Pakistan, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited foreign investors to come forward and join hands with the government of Pakistan to make Pakistan a mineral destination. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan has mineral reserves worth trillions of dollars and that Pakistan can say goodbye to the IMF by using mineral resources.
Speaking at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, PM Shahbaz Sharif congratulated the organizers on the successful holding of the forum, holding the forum will increase the confidence of investors the forum will lead to an increase in investment in the minerals sector. He said that the progress on the Reko Diq project is encouraging, however, he did not explain what kind of arrangements are being done to fix Reko Diq issues. He stated there are mineral deposits in the mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, the lands of Sindh and Punjab, and immense treasures of nature are also buried in Azad Kashmir. He was of the view that mining in these regions would create employment opportunities and socio-economic development for local people.
Prime Minister invites international investors to invest in Pakistan
The Prime Minister said that investment in the mineral sector is beneficial for everyone and stated that Pakistan has the world’s largest coal reserves. He invited investors from all countries, including the US, China and Europe to invest in Pakistan and assured to provide every facility to foreign investors.
He said that Pakistan is saving valuable foreign exchange by relying on local coal instead of imported coal. “We have to promote exports by valorizing our products, export of finished products instead of raw materials will be ensured”, added PM Sharif.
He asked investors to work on finished products, technical training is essential for the mining industry, partnership between the private sector and promised that the government promote technical training of the youth to create an educated work force.
Important points of Army Chief’s address at the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum 2025
“I firmly believe that Pakistan is poised to emerge as a leader in the global mineral economy. We welcome international institutions to share their expertise with Pakistan, explore investment opportunities and partner with us in developing the vast resource potential.
Engineers, geologists, operators, and many expert miners are needed to tap Pakistan’s mineral wealth, which is why we are also sending students abroad for training to develop this sector. Currently, 27 Pakistani students from Balochistan are undergoing training in mineral exploration in Zambia and Argentina. Our aim is also to create manpower, skills, and human resources for the mineral sector. Economic security has emerged as an important component of national security. The Pakistan Army will ensure a robust security framework and proactive measures to protect the interests and confidence of its partners and investors. The development of upstream and downstream mineral industries in Pakistan will also be ensured.
It is important that investment is made in refining and value addition in Pakistan to improve cost efficiency and diversify markets. With vast mineral reserves under the feet of the Pakistani people, expertise in their hands, and a transparent mineral policy, there is no room for despair and inaction.
Move forward and struggle for the country and for yourself. We assure Pakistani partners and investors that it is our collective national desire to benefit from your expertise to do business and exploit our mineral wealth.
I also acknowledge the efforts of Baloch tribal elders who have played a significant role in promoting mining activities and the development and progress of Balochistan. Working together, Pakistan’s mineral sector can promote regional development, prosperity and sustainability for the collective benefit”.
Mineral resources must be fully utilized for sustainable economic stability: Ishaq Dar
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, while addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, said that mineral resources must be fully utilized for sustainable economic stability. Pakistan is entering a new era of economic development; all economic indicators are positive, and international organizations are also acknowledging Pakistan’s economic development.
He said that Pakistan has large reserves of gold and copper Pakistan is rich in natural resources. Maximum investment is required to utilize mineral resources, and most of Pakistan’s population consists of youth. He said that it is hoped that the Minerals Investment Forum will pave the way for investment in the minerals sector.
Exchange of MoUs and Agreements
After the address of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, MoUs and agreements were also exchanged with companies from different countries, which are as follows:
A Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged between Pakistan MSP and Barrick Gold for the establishment of the Pakistan Mineral Security Partnership.
An MoU was exchanged between the Geological Survey of Pakistan and the Geological Survey of China for the exploration of lithium and other minerals in Gilgit-Baltistan.
On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged between the Geological Survey of Pakistan and International Geoscience Services Limited of the United Kingdom for technical cooperation in geological mapping, and a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation was exchanged between the Geological Survey of Pakistan and Holmescroft Prospecting of Ireland.
A Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged between GSP and JSC Rose Geo of Russia for geoscientific research.
An MoU was exchanged between GSP and South Africa’s Special Dimension for a partnership framework in the field of geoscience data digitization.
Mari Minerals and the Balochistan government exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between China’s MCC Tangshan Resources to establish a mineral park, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mari Minerals and Global Core Minerals to develop Pakistan’s mineral sector.
An MoU was exchanged between Mari Minerals and Lydia Mining for mineral exploration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between PPL and Metso for mineral exploration and processing, and an agreement was signed between PPL and the Balochistan government for a free-right lead and zinc project in Khuzdar.
A partnership agreement was signed between FWO, Noor Mining, BMRL and local leaders for mineral exploration and development projects in Balochistan, and an agreement was exchanged between FWO and Azar Gold for the development of the mineral sector.
In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between OGDCL and NRL regarding mineral exploration and production.
National Resources Limited (NRL) has announced the discovery of gold and copper deposits in the Chagai district of Balochistan.
The announcement was made by NRL Chairman and Lucky Cement CEO Muhammad Ali Tabba during the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 that exploration across the 500 sq km license area led to the identification of 16 potential mineral sites over the last 18 months. Advanced drilling has begun at the Tang Kore location. NRL has completed 13 diamond drill holes covering 3,517 meters, all showing signs of mineralisation. Results from the first six drill holes confirmed strong mineral zones near the surface. He said that NRL planned to begin advanced drilling in Tang Kore in May 2025, followed by an NI 43-101 technical report by year-end. This will be followed by 3–4 years of further exploration and feasibility studies. NRL is working with the Balochistan government and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to secure two additional exploration licences, backed by a $100 million fund. It has also signed a memorandum of understanding with OGDC for work on newly leased areas.
There are immense investment opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral sector: Jam Kamal
Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal said that Balochistan is a province rich in mineral resources. He stated there are immense investment opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral sector, and investment is required to utilize mineral resources. He said that the participation of foreign investors in the Minerals Investment Forum is welcome for us.
The government is committed to utilizing mineral resources: Ali Pervaiz Malik
Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said that Pakistan welcomes the participants of the Minerals Investment Forum. The purpose of organizing the forum is to highlight the opportunities of Pakistan’s mineral sector, and the participation of foreign investors in the forum is a manifestation of confidence in Pakistan’s mineral sector.
He said that the government’s efforts have made economic stability possible, foreign exchange has increased and inflation has decreased, the Pakistan Stock Exchange has joined the best stock markets in the world, these achievements on the economic front are the result of the hard work of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his team, international institutions like Moody’s and Finch have recognized Pakistan’s economic performance.
He said that Pakistan is rich in mineral resources. Balochistan province has a prominent position in terms of mineral resources. There are mineral resources in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. There are deposits of gold, precious stones, and other minerals in Azad Kashmir, the government is committed to utilizing mineral resources.
