The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 kicked off on Tuesday at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad. This two-day event aims to attract global investment into Pakistan’s mineral sector. Over 300 investors from around the world are attending the conference.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff are expected to address the gathering. Both leaders will reaffirm the government and military’s shared commitment to developing the country’s mineral resources. They see this sector as a cornerstone for Pakistan’s economic revival.
Delegations have arrived from Saudi Arabia, Finland, the United States, Europe, and other nations. Their participation highlights growing international interest in Pakistan’s untapped mineral wealth.
The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum is organized with support from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). Three major sessions are planned for the first day. A detailed discussion on the Reko Diq project is scheduled for April 9.
Several prominent international guests are attending. These include Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Industry Abdullah Alenezi, and a senior U.S. official from the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.
Julian Kettle, Vice Chairman of Wood Mackenzie, shared insights on global commodity trends. He discussed Pakistan’s potential in the global minerals market. Mark Bristow, CEO of Barrick Gold, outlined the future of mining in Pakistan and the significance of the Reko Diq project.
Key figures such as Shen Shaoyang from Zijin Mining, Syed Basar Shueb from International Holdings Company (PJSC), and Lucky Cement CEO Muhammad Ali Tabba also took part in expert panels. They discussed strategies to boost growth in Pakistan’s mineral industry. Tabba, along with the DG Exploration from FWO, also delivered separate briefings.
One session focused on the importance of geological mapping in emerging economies. Experts like Abdullah Al Shamrani from Saudi Geological Survey, Bernd Tegeler, Dr. Wang Hongliang, Dr. Paul, and Dr. Peter Zawada shared their views.
The Reko Diq panel includes RDMC Deputy Project Director Isak Mare, Weir Minerals Manager JD Singleton, and James Ferguson, Senior Vice President at Barrick Gold. They examined progress on the project and future plans for development.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik welcomed participants to the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025. He said the event is designed to highlight the country’s investment potential. Malik noted that Pakistan’s economic indicators are improving. He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his team for stabilizing the economy, increasing foreign exchange reserves, and reducing inflation. Malik also pointed out that the Pakistan Stock Exchange is now counted among the world’s top-performing markets.
According to Malik, Pakistan’s mineral reserves are spread across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, and Azad Kashmir. These reserves include gold, gemstones, and other valuable resources. He said the government is reforming laws to attract investors and maximize the value of mineral deposits. He emphasized that mining is a provincial subject, and the government is engaging in detailed consultations with provincial administrations.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also addressed the forum. He stressed the urgent need to fully harness the country’s mineral assets to achieve long-term economic stability. Dar said that Pakistan is entering a new phase of growth and that the road to sustainable development lies in tapping into its mineral reserves. He said key economic indicators show positive trends. Global institutions, he noted, are acknowledging Pakistan’s economic recovery.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s vast reserves of copper and gold, its large youth population, and the necessity for higher investment. He expressed confidence that the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum will lead to major deals and partnerships in the mining sector.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan focused on Balochistan’s rich natural resources. He said Pakistan offers immense opportunities for foreign investors in this field. The participation of international stakeholders in the forum, he added, is a promising sign for the future.
