Pakistan has stepped up efforts to attract international investment in its mineral and mining sectors as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged local and foreign investors to explore the country’s natural resources at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026.
Addressing the opening session of the two-day forum on Thursday, November 12, Ishaq Dar said restoring investor confidence remained a priority for both federal and provincial governments.
He identified investment, trade and information technology as key areas of focus, adding that Pakistan was working to strengthen international partnerships and maintain macroeconomic stability.
Dar highlighted the country’s extensive mineral reserves and the growing opportunities in the mining industry. He also pointed to the potential of battery storage systems and electric vehicles, saying investment in these technologies could help reduce carbon emissions.
Describing Balochistan as the future of Pakistan’s minerals industry, he encouraged international investors to explore the province’s untapped resources.
Provinces Highlight Mineral Investment Opportunities
Provincial leaders used the forum to present their regions’ natural resources and outline measures to attract domestic and international businesses.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the forum could play an important role in developing Pakistan’s mineral industry. She highlighted Punjab’s coal, granite, pink salt and rock salt reserves.
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Maryam Nawaz said the provincial government was offering affordable land and low-interest loans to support businesses. She also highlighted improvements in road infrastructure and said the government had digitised the mining lease process to make investment easier.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah highlighted the province’s mineral wealth, particularly its energy and industrial potential. He said Thar contained the world’s sixth-largest coal reserve, creating significant opportunities for domestic and international investors.
Murad Ali Shah added that Sindh was developing a regulatory framework for mining and encouraging private-sector participation. He also stressed the importance of international investment in bringing advanced technology to the province’s mining industry.
KP, Balochistan and Other Regions Invite Investors
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said investor security was the government’s top priority. He added that the province would offer a one-window facility to simplify investment procedures.
Kundi invited investors to explore KP’s mineral resources and noted that the province was Pakistan’s second-largest natural gas producer.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also invited domestic and international companies to invest in the province’s mining, oil and gas exploration sectors.
He assured potential investors that the government was strengthening security arrangements to protect investments and facilitate business operations.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani highlighted the region’s natural resources and invited international companies to explore opportunities in precious stones and other minerals.
He said his government welcomed foreign investment in resource exploration.
Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Syed Amjad Hussain identified opportunities in precious metals and gemstones but said limited connectivity remained a major obstacle to developing the region’s mining industry.
Forum Targets International Partnerships
The two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 brings together government officials and industry representatives to showcase the country’s mineral potential and encourage international partnerships.
The event comes as Pakistan seeks to attract foreign capital, strengthen its mining infrastructure and increase the economic contribution of its natural resources.
