Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the minerals and mining sector as Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik met Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Al-Khareef on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum 2026 in Riyadh.

Ali Pervaiz Malik is leading the Pakistani delegation at the Future Minerals Forum 2026, where the two ministers discussed expanding cooperation in mineral exploration, mining and downstream industries.

Both sides agreed that closer collaboration would benefit the economies of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and help unlock untapped mineral potential.

Technical and scientific support

Saudi Minister Bandar Ibrahim Al-Khareef said there are vast opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the mineral sector. He assured Pakistan of Saudi Arabia’s scientific and technical expertise to support the development of Pakistan’s mineral resources.

Riyadh: On the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum , Ali Pervaiz Malik held a meeting with H.E. Bandar Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, Saudi Minister of Industry & Mineral Resources. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the mining and minerals sector pic.twitter.com/sLsN3mg8Ai
— Petroleum Division, Ministry of Energy (@Official_PetDiv) January 13, 2026

He also expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s active participation in the Future Minerals Forum, calling it a positive step toward deeper bilateral engagement.

Tethyan Belt and Reko Diq potential

Ali Pervaiz Malik said Pakistan’s Tethyan Belt holds immense mineral potential, adding that the Reko Diq project represents only a small portion of the country’s overall resources.

He noted that the Geological Survey of Pakistan is already working closely with its Saudi counterpart to advance cooperation in geological research and mineral exploration.

The minister also identified fertilizer production and medical equipment manufacturing as promising areas for joint Pakistan-Saudi projects. He said collaboration in these sectors could boost industrial growth, technology transfer and employment opportunities.

Leadership and ties

Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki appreciated the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif and Ali Pervaiz Malik.

He expressed hope that Pakistan’s participation in the Future Minerals Forum would further strengthen the long-standing and strategic relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the minerals and industrial sectors.