The Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25) opened in Islamabad on Tuesday with a high-level pledge to unlock the country’s vast mineral wealth and position it as a globally competitive mining hub.

The two-day forum aims to attract foreign direct investment and forge long-term partnerships by highlighting Pakistan’s mineral potential.

More than 2,000 participants were in attendance, including 300 international delegates from the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Finland, Denmark, and Kenya.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the country was “strategically positioned to emerge as a global mining powerhouse,” citing its rich geological landscape and underutilised mineral resources.

He said Pakistan was home to major deposits such as Reko Diq, as well as vast reserves of rare earth elements, industrial minerals, and globally sought-after gemstones like peridot and emerald.

Dar launched the National Minerals Harmonisation Framework 2025 at the event—an integrated reform initiative designed to attract investors and streamline policy in a sector that currently contributes just 3.2% to the national GDP.

“The mineral sector can redefine our economy, supply chains, and export profile,” Dar said. “We are laying the foundation of a robust ecosystem for stakeholders, including local and foreign partners.”

The forum, jointly supported by federal and provincial governments, also saw attendance from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir—reflecting strong institutional support behind the reforms.

In a show of international interest, the United States was represented by Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, while Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister for Minerals expressed readiness to explore strategic cooperation.

Federal Minister for Power Ali Pervaiz Malik underscored the government’s consistent efforts to stabilise the economy and said legal and administrative frameworks were being harmonised to improve ease of doing business.

He noted that mining remains a provincial subject, but coordination with all provinces was underway to ensure alignment of goals and transparency in operations.

“Through institutions like the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Petroleum Division, and the Board of Investment, we are working in unison to bring a pro-investor environment,” Malik said.

He stressed that Balochistan, in particular, held immense untapped mineral wealth, adding that special focus was being given to the province’s development in this regard.

Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal, speaking during a panel session, said Pakistan’s mineral potential could attract both regional and global attention if security and regulatory concerns were addressed.

“Balochistan can lead the way in this transformation,” he said. “Our resource base is substantial, and we’re ready to provide the necessary facilitation for investment.”

Kamal described investment in minerals as a long-term commitment, urging foreign companies to explore joint ventures and public-private collaborations that extend beyond extraction.

Saudi Arabia’s delegation echoed this view, with the kingdom’s Vice Minister stating that Riyadh was actively assessing partnership opportunities in Pakistan’s minerals value chain.

Throughout the forum, several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed, marking what the organisers hope will be a turning point in the country’s mineral development strategy.

The event will conclude on April 9 with sectoral briefings, technical workshops, and policy panels aimed at identifying priority projects and clearing regulatory hurdles for incoming investment.

For a country seeking new engines of economic growth, the mineral sector is being seen as a major opportunity to drive exports, generate jobs, and ensure long-term fiscal stability.