PM Shehbaz Inaugurates Upgraded Geoscience Labs to Boost Pakistan’s Mineral Exploration

APP

Islamabad:Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated the upgraded Geoscience Advanced Research Laboratories (GARL) of the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), calling it a major step toward advancing the country’s mineral research and exploration capacity.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the revitalized GARL complex in Chak Shehzad, was attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, and foreign dignitaries, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Speaking at the event, the prime minister said the modernization of the facility marked a milestone in unlocking Pakistan’s mineral potential through scientific innovation and global collaboration. He reiterated his government’s commitment to equipping national institutions with modern technology to ensure sustainable and internationally competitive growth in the mineral sector.

Originally established in 1991, the laboratory has undergone a complete overhaul and now meets international standards, having achieved ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation — a certification that validates its technical competence in testing and calibration.

Officials said the upgraded GARL will now generate analytical data aligned with global reporting standards, including JORC and NI 43-101, allowing accurate reserve estimations and supporting investor confidence in Pakistan’s mineral projects.

The facility’s enhanced capabilities are expected to attract foreign investment by providing reliable and verifiable data required by international mining firms and financial institutions.

With over three decades of legacy, the modernized GARL complex is now positioned as a state-of-the-art hub for mineral research, exploration, and development — underscoring Pakistan’s renewed focus on harnessing its natural resource wealth for national progress.