The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 kicked off in Islamabad with a grand opening ceremony attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, and chief ministers from across the country.

Delegations from China, the United States, Gulf countries, and Europe, along with leading private investors, are participating in the two-day high-level event aimed at showcasing Pakistan's untapped mineral potential.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the organizers and welcomed the international delegations, emphasizing that Pakistan has been richly blessed by nature with an abundance of mineral resources across all provinces and regions.

“There are vast mountains of minerals in Balochistan and KP, while Azad Kashmir, Sindh, and Punjab also hold significant mineral reserves. The estimated value of these resources is in the trillions of dollars,” said the premier, adding that Punjab, Sindh and many other areas held excellent pieces of land where nature has hidden mineral resources.

"Youth can get employment in Balochistan by using mineral resources. We have the largest coal reserves in the world. The Sindh chief minister is doing a wonderful job by generating electricity from coal. Generating electricity from coal helps in preserving dollar reserves," PM Sharif stated.

He added that numerous initiatives were also being taken in Punjab, KP, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, stressing that Pakistan could benefit by converting raw materials of minerals into goods.

He noted that by responsibly harnessing these resources, Pakistan could significantly reduce its reliance on foreign financial institutions. “Pakistan can say goodbye to the IMF if we fully utilise our mineral wealth,” he asserted, suggesting that the country could benefit at the B2B and G2G levels in the minerals sector, where G2G could train youth with modern technology.

"Pakistan's mineral areas can be made a hub of development. With the help of the army chief, Pakistan will be made to stand on its own two feet again," Shehbaz remarked.

The PM said the forum had increased the confidence of foreign investors and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to transforming the country into a regional commercial and economic hub. “We welcome investors from China, the Gulf region, Europe, and America to explore opportunities in our minerals sector,” he added.

During the forum, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik highlighted the geological richness of Pakistan, especially in Balochistan, Punjab, KP, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. He said that Balochistan holds one of the world’s largest gold and copper reserves, while Chitral and Kohistan are home to placer gold, copper, antimony, and other valuable minerals. Evidence of iron and gold has also been found in Chiniot.

"The world should benefit from Pakistan’s mineral resources," he remarked.

The minister also emphasized that Thar in Sindh contains the world’s largest reserves of lignite coal. Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, he said, are rich in precious stones, gold, lead, zinc, manganese, dimension stones, and other industrial minerals.

To attract global investment, Ali Pervaiz Malik announced that the government had introduced major reforms in the minerals sector. “We are minimizing royalty burdens, promoting corporate-style mining with modern machinery, and ensuring transparency in licensing and block allotments. All decisions will now be based purely on merit,” he assured.

He further cited positive economic outlooks from the IMF, Moody’s, Fitch, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), expressing hope that foreign investors will take note of Pakistan’s economic stabilization and mineral potential.

The forum will continue until April 9, with the final day reserved for panel discussions and detailed sessions on key mining projects, including Reko Diq.