ISLAMABAD: Pakistan opened its two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad on Thursday, inviting international mining companies, investors and financial institutions to take part in developing the country’s large mineral reserves. Radio Pakistan reported that participants from more than sixty countries are attending the event, which runs until November 13.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar addressed the opening session. He presented Pakistan as “a competitive and trusted destination for mineral exploration and investment” and said the government wants partnerships that bring technology, skills and market access as well as capital. He described Balochistan as central to the future of the sector and pointed to rising global demand for copper as the world shifts to clean energy.
Provinces set out their offers
Leaders from every province and region used the forum to present their own opportunities. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said a new security division has been raised for the mineral corridor and that the Reko Diq copper and gold project is expected to become operational by 2029.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the revenue of the province’s Mines and Minerals Department has risen to Rs40 billion over the last two and a half years. She highlighted 261.5 million tonnes of iron ore deposits in Chiniot, digitised mining leases and surveys for placer gold.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said 27 minerals have been identified in the province and highlighted the potential of Thar coal. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said building investor confidence was a priority, while Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani and the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister also invited investors to explore minerals in their regions.
Global names in attendance
The forum is organised by the government with the support of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), with Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) as founding partner. Its programme includes high-level dialogues, an international exhibition across the mining value chain and the presentation of more than 50 peer-reviewed technical papers.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir are listed among the key speakers. International speakers include leaders of Barrick Mining Corporation, Ivanhoe Mines and Türkiye’s Calik Group, along with representatives of the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank Group.
The government sees the mining sector as a key driver of future growth, exports and foreign direct investment. The forum aims to help turn Pakistan’s geological potential into commercially viable projects. The event concludes on Friday with further sessions and closing remarks from forum president Ahmed Hayat Lak.
Featured image: Photo: Shahzaib Damn Cruze / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
