Pakistan has brought together representatives from more than 60 countries, international mining companies and financial institutions at a major investment forum in Islamabad as it seeks to attract capital into its largely untapped mineral resources.

The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 (PMIF26) began on Thursday, November 12, with more than 5,000 attendees participating on its opening day. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar inaugurated the two-day event, which also features an international exhibition with 122 exhibitors.

Addressing the forum, Dar said Pakistan was positioning its mineral resources as an important source of export growth, industrial development and foreign investment.

He highlighted the country’s copper and gold deposits along the Tethyan Metallogenic Belt, alongside its reserves of iron ore, chromite, lead, zinc, coal, rock salt, marble, gypsum and gemstones.

Dar also referred to the Reko Diq copper-gold project in Balochistan as an example of international cooperation, domestic participation and provincial ownership in mineral development.

He said rising international demand for minerals used in clean energy, electric vehicles, battery storage and advanced technologies presented an opportunity for Pakistan to expand its role in the global minerals market.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told participants that improvements in Pakistan’s economic position had created a stronger foundation for attracting long-term investment.

He said the fiscal deficit had declined to a 22-year low, the country had maintained primary surpluses for three consecutive years and foreign exchange reserves had reached $21.5 billion, providing more than three months of import cover.

Aurangzeb stressed that mining could become a major source of exports, investment and sustainable economic growth. He also highlighted the importance of protecting investors’ interests and facilitating the repatriation of profits and dividends.

Federal Petroleum Secretary Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh said several mining projects were ready for investment, while the government was working with provincial administrations to improve transparency and facilitate investors.

He also said Pakistan was preparing to restart offshore exploration after a gap of several years.

Provincial governments used the forum to present their mineral resources and investment incentives.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the province had identified 27 minerals and was seeking investors for exploration and commercially viable projects. He highlighted Thar coal, public-private partnerships and opportunities for value addition.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced financing of up to Rs5 billion for mining investors, with the provincial government bearing the interest cost. She also offered concessional land leases, interest-free loans and one-window facilities.

Maryam said Punjab’s revenue from the Mines and Minerals Department had increased from Rs10 billion to Rs40 billion over the previous two and a half years.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti invited local and foreign companies to invest in the province’s mineral and energy resources. He said a dedicated security division had been established for the Mineral Corridor to protect mining projects and investors.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi highlighted more than 100 sites identified under a Geological Survey of Pakistan initiative, including 69 sites currently under process.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Iftikhar Ali Gillani also invited companies to explore the region’s mineral resources, including ruby, tourmaline, topaz, granite, coal and bauxite.

The event’s exhibition features 122 companies and organisations from Pakistan and abroad. Participants include Barrick Mining Corporation, China Molybdenum, Komatsu, Siemens, ABB, Metso, Mari Energies, Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation.

The technical sessions are focusing on geological mapping, mineral exploration, mineral processing, mining technology, environmental standards and workforce development.

The second day of PMIF26 will be held on Friday, November 13, featuring further investment discussions and the unveiling of the National Mineral Data Centre, Geological Survey of Pakistan Geoportal and Agreement Exchange initiative.