Mineral sector in focus

2026-01-30 - 01:26

FOR the first time, the government seems to be aggressively pursuing a policy aimed at proper exploitation and export of the country’s precious mineral resources with the help of some friendly countries including the United States, China and some Gulf States. After signing several agreements with the US for the purpose, Pakistan and China, on Wednesday, launched the ‘Pak-China E-Mining Platform’, a digital initiative aimed at improving information sharing, project connectivity and cooperation between Pakistani authorities and Chinese enterprises and to enhance transparency, efficiency and collaboration in the development of the mineral sector. The platform also targets to unlock more than $10 billion in investment in Pakistan’s mineral sector. A series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed by the two countries is a significant development keeping in view the reputation of China as a country determined to transform such understanding into practical agreements and projects in the shortest possible time. The launching of the platform and signing of MoUs also assumes greater importance as these effectively rebut the impression that closer Pakistan-US cooperation in the mineral sector development could create fissures in the otherwise smooth partnership between Pakistan and China. Apart from its economic significance, the move shows Pakistan is playing its diplomatic cards well to strike a balance in relations with all important capitals. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who is also Pakistan’s focal person for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has aptly pointed out that Pakistan wanted strategic partners such as China to develop the mineral sector, just like CPEC’s cooperation has delivered tangible results across the economy, including the power sector, infrastructure development and industrial connectivity. Pakistan wants to move beyond extraction to develop mineral processing plants, smelters, refining facilities & mineral-based industrial units linked with special economic zones and transport corridors and Chinese collaboration can make a difference as the friendly country is considered as champion of relevant technologies including those for geological surveying, modern extraction techniques, mineral processing, smelting, refining and manufacturing. Pakistan’s expectations in this regard will surely materialize as Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reaffirmed China’s strong interest in investing in the country’s mining sector and in supporting capacity building and technological advancement. Hopefully, more commitments for investment in the sector will be made during the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum that the country plans to organize this year.