Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called on US companies to use Pakistan’s mineral resources and highlight the unexpected potential and strategic value of the sector.

The Prime Minister made these comments during a meeting with an American delegation led by Erik Mayer, acting assistant secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, US Department of State. The delegation visits Islamabad to participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum.

PM Shehbaz welcomed the US presence on the forum and emphasized that the mining sector remains a top investment priority for the country. He urged US companies to seize available opportunities for mutual benefit.

He repeated Pakistan’s obligation to strengthen bilateral relations with the United States, especially under President Trump’s administration, and emphasized cooperation on trade, investment and terrorism.

Mayer congratulated Pakistan of hosting the forum successfully and recognized the extent of opportunities in the country’s mineral sector.

He expressed American interest in elaborating on economic commitment and expanding bilateral ties.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister of Economic Affairs Ahsan Cheema, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and senior officials, including special assistant Tariq Fatemi.

Previously, Prime Minister Shehbaz announced a renewed push to attract both domestic and international investors to Pakistan’s mineral sector aimed at locking his estimated trillions of dollars in unused reserves.

With Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25) in Islamabad on Tuesday, the prime minister expressed confidence that the utilization of the country’s huge mineral wealth could help reduce Pakistan’s dependence on global lenders, including International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He emphasized the need to treat and export semi-finished and finished mineral products rather than sending raw materials abroad and said this shift would provide greater economic value and create jobs.

The Prime Minister also called for all future investment agreements to include provisions on technology transfer, ensuring long -term gains and capacity building for Pakistan’s industrial sector.