He said infrastructure development was being aligned with Pakistan’s mineral sector ambitions.

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has said Pakistan aims to establish itself as a competitive destination for long-term investment in the minerals sector, assuring international investors of security, institutional support and a favourable business environment.

Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad on Friday, Field Marshal Munir said the government was taking all possible measures to ensure the security of the entire mining ecosystem, according to Radio Pakistan.

He said mines, miners, investments, industries, projects and all associated personnel would receive adequate protection.

The army chief described the development of Pakistan’s mineral resources as a collective national objective, emphasising that the country wanted to move beyond exporting raw materials and develop the entire value chain, including refining and manufacturing.

He said Pakistan was seeking long-term partnerships that could generate sustainable economic benefits for both the country and its international partners.

Field Marshal Munir also stressed that mineral development must improve the lives of local communities, particularly those residing in resource-rich areas. He called for a transition from potential to productivity and from raw mineral exports to value-added industrial growth.

PM Shehbaz Targets Sixth-Largest Economy Status Before 2050

Addressing the forum, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed confidence that Pakistan could become the world’s sixth-largest economy before 2050.

Referring to a Goldman Sachs assessment that had projected Pakistan to achieve this position by 2075, the prime minister said he hoped the target could be achieved much earlier.

He praised Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik for organising the forum and acknowledged Field Marshal Asim Munir’s support and efforts in bringing the country’s minerals agenda to the centre of its economic vision.

The prime minister said copper and gold production at the Reko Diq project in the Tethyan copper belt was expected to begin in 2028 after nearly two decades of delays.

Reaffirming his commitment to ending the export of unprocessed minerals, Shehbaz said Pakistan must establish refineries, smelters and cable and conductor manufacturing facilities instead of limiting its role to mineral extraction.

He urged international investors to mine, process and manufacture in Pakistan before exporting finished products to global markets, describing the approach as a mutually beneficial partnership.

Highlighting investment reforms, the premier said the government was simplifying procedures, eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, reducing delays and ensuring transparency in the award of licences and contracts.

He added that digitised records and the National Minerals Data Centre would provide investors with reliable information about underground mineral resources before they committed funds to projects.

Shehbaz said federal and provincial governments would work together to facilitate investors and provide the necessary support for their businesses.

He described the safety of workers, assets and supply routes as the government’s primary responsibility, assuring investors that their protection would remain a priority.

The prime minister also stressed the importance of cooperation with local communities and the availability of reliable infrastructure, including electricity, water, roads, railways and communication networks.

He offered to personally intervene in cases of bureaucratic delays, saying investors could bring stalled files directly to him for swift resolution.

PM Calls for Local Employment and Responsible Mining

Shehbaz Sharif described Pakistan’s young population as its real wealth and encouraged investors to establish vocational training centres and skills development institutions to prepare young people for employment in the mining industry.

He said mining investments should generate local employment, create business opportunities for contractors and suppliers, and support the development of schools, healthcare facilities and clean drinking water in surrounding communities.

The premier emphasised that residents of areas hosting mining projects should be among the primary beneficiaries of economic development.

He also called for responsible mining practices in accordance with international standards, stressing that economic development and environmental protection must go hand in hand.

According to the prime minister, modern technology would be used in mining projects while safeguarding Pakistan’s water resources, land and the health and safety of workers.

He said relevant ministries and departments had been directed to appoint responsible focal persons with the authority to address investors’ concerns and accelerate project implementation.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Shehbaz invited international investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan and assured them of full institutional support.

He said cooperation in the minerals sector could transform the country’s natural resources into industrial growth, economic partnerships and shared prosperity.

Pakistan Expands Exploration of Strategic Minerals

Earlier, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said Pakistan was increasingly focusing its mineral exploration activities on resources of strategic importance to international investors.

He said exploration efforts were being supported by modern geochemical and geophysical surveys, exploratory drilling and upgrades to advanced geoscience research laboratories.

The minister highlighted copper and gold exploration in Chagai and western Balochistan, lithium, tin and tungsten prospects in Gilgit-Baltistan, and antimony and base metals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said Pakistan had historically exported raw ores while importing finished mineral products to meet domestic requirements.

The government was now advancing copper smelting to capture a greater share of the value chain, from mineral extraction to finished metal production, he added.

Malik said the Geological Survey of Pakistan was strengthening the scientific foundation of the country’s minerals sector through an accelerated geological mapping programme.

Detailed geological surveys at a scale of 1:50,000 were helping identify mineral prospects across the country, he noted.

He also highlighted international technical cooperation, including the UK-Pakistan Geoscience Capacity Building Programme, which is supporting expertise in digital mapping, airborne surveys and mineral assessment.

The minister said the government was digitising decades of geological information to improve investors’ access to reliable data, reduce exploration risks and support informed investment decisions.

Infrastructure Development Key to Mineral Sector Growth

Malik emphasised that discovering mineral deposits was only the first step, as commercially viable mining operations also required reliable electricity, water supplies, roads, railways and access to international markets.

He said infrastructure development was being aligned with Pakistan’s mineral sector ambitions.

The planned upgrade of the Rohri-Nokundi railway corridor, improved connectivity to Port Qasim and supporting infrastructure around Reko Diq were among the important initiatives aimed at connecting mineral-rich regions with international markets.

The petroleum minister said Pakistan wanted to establish an integrated, competitive and sustainable minerals industry rather than develop isolated mining projects.

He added that investments should support processing, refining, downstream industries, technology transfer and integration into global value chains wherever commercially and technically feasible.

Malik also stressed the importance of developing local expertise through technical training, vocational education, engineering services and stronger domestic supply chains.

He said the sector should create meaningful career opportunities for young people, including women entering the mining industry.

Concluding his remarks, the minister underlined the importance of community engagement, saying sustainable mining projects depended on earning the trust and cooperation of people living in resource-producing regions.