PMIF26 to promote mining awareness, boost economic activity and attract sustainable investment in Pakistan
According to sources, Lersten proposed cooperation to assess reserves and secure offtake agreements for accelerated mineral extraction. Photo: Reuters
Pakistan sits on vast untapped mineral wealth, including copper, gold, lithium, cobalt, rare earths and precious stones, but exports remain minimal and local communities see limited benefits. In a blog published in The national interestnotes the author, Saima Afzal, that “Pakistan’s policy reforms aim to bring it in line with international standards and position itself as a responsible partner in the global mineral market”.
Building on PMIF25, which drew 5,000 delegates from over 50 countries and resulted in 14 MOUs, PMIF26 will host a strategic conference, technical sessions, an international gemstone exhibition and an investor resource library.
The second Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum PMIF26 to be held on 8-9 April in Islamabad, is central to this strategy. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said, “PMIF26 will serve as a key platform to promote mining awareness, stimulate economic activity and attract sustainable investment in Pakistan’s mineral sector”.
Read: Pakistan’s mineral wealth: opportunities and risks
Mineral deposits in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, including the Reko Diq site with over 5.9 billion tonnes of ore, have long been underexplored. If used effectively, it can generate billions of dollars in revenue, provide thousands of job opportunities and positively change the trade of the area.
The government recently released a national policy framework for gems, targeting $1 billion in exports over five years with modernized certification and improved value addition. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved “international standard laboratories, certification systems and centers of excellence for gems” to boost credibility and attract private investment.
The reforms aim to give local miners and entrepreneurs better market access and fair prices. They include skills development, modern technology use and collaboration with global industry players to improve product quality and export potential.
Countries such as Chile, Australia and Canada have leveraged their mining sectors through structured policy, transparency and international cooperation.
Chile accounts for almost a third of global copper production, while Australia has developed exports of lithium, cobalt and rare earths. PMIF26 seeks to reduce Pakistan’s historical lag by showcasing investment-ready projects and reforms that meet global standards for extraction, transparency and environmental governance.
PMIF26 positions Pakistan as a regional center for critical minerals critical to energy transition, high-tech manufacturing and industrial development. A recent MOU between US-based Strategic Metals (USSM) and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization shows potential for technology transfer, mineral production and integration into global supply chains.
Read more: The government starts outreach for the Minerals Investment Forum
Experts predict that development of Pakistan’s mineral and gemstone industry could boost GDP by $5-7 billion annually over the next decade, creating tens of thousands of jobs. Strategic foreign investment, local reforms and technological improvements can transform underutilized resources into an important economic driver.
Environmental protection and social safeguards are part of the agenda, with discussions on ESG compliance and occupational safety integrated into PMIF26 proceedings.
By adapting the policy to international standards and creating a transparent investment platform,
With increasing demand for critical minerals, Pakistan aims to transform “untapped potential into measurable economic and social impact” and turn its mineral sector into a strategic growth engine. PMIF26 is not just a forum, it is a strategic milestone that turns untapped potential into measurable economic and social impact.
