ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, has called for ramped-up foreign and local investment to unlock Pakistan’s vast untapped mineral resources—nearly 95% of which remain unexplored.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, jointly hosted by the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Kamal underscored the immense potential lying beneath Pakistan’s soil. “You have a country where 95% of mineral resources are yet to be explored in the way they should be. This is a major opportunity, especially with growing global demand for copper, lithium, iron ore, rare earth minerals, and more,” he said during a panel discussion.
The two-day forum also featured addresses by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, and was attended by chief ministers, federal ministers, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, corporate leaders, and international delegates.
Jam Kamal praised existing foreign investors like Barrick Gold, calling their operations a testament to Pakistan’s mining potential. He noted that over 90 types of minerals have been identified in Balochistan and northern regions, yet large-scale commercial exploration remains limited. The Geological Survey of Pakistan is making strides, he said, but private-sector participation is key to unlocking the sector.
The commerce minister emphasized that both foreign direct investment and domestic corporate interest in minerals are gaining momentum. “It’s promising to see successful Pakistani firms from sectors like textiles and energy now stepping into mining,” he added.
He called for improved regulatory frameworks and fiscal incentives to attract sustainable investment, stating that mineral sector development is vital for supporting future industries and enhancing national economic growth.
