ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has called on American investors to explore lucrative opportunities in its vast mineral sector, offering policy incentives and joint venture prospects in an effort to attract foreign capital and strengthen economic ties with the United States.
The appeal was made during high-level discussions held under the framework of ongoing trade talks, where Pakistani officials emphasized the potential of the country’s untapped mineral reserves, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These regions are home to large deposits of copper, gold, lithium, and rare earth elements, vital for global industries and clean energy technologies.
During recent meetings and the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, senior Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating foreign investors through regulatory reforms, enhanced security protocols, and infrastructure development.
U.S. officials, including representatives from the State Department and U.S. Export-Import Bank, responded positively to the outreach. According to sources, American institutions are evaluating potential investments, including up to $1 billion in financing for the Reko Diq copper-gold project, one of Pakistan’s most valuable mineral assets.
Eric Meyer, who led the U.S. delegation at the forum, underscored the strategic importance of Pakistan’s minerals to the global supply chain. He stated that critical minerals from Pakistan could support American manufacturing, defense, and energy sectors, while also deepening bilateral trade relations.
Prime Minister Sharif stressed the need to shift from exporting raw materials to developing value-added processing facilities within Pakistan, a move aimed at maximizing domestic economic benefits and creating skilled employment opportunities.
While the initiative has been met with optimism, analysts have cautioned that security concerns, logistical challenges, and bureaucratic red tape remain key hurdles to unlocking the sector’s full potential. However, Pakistan’s leadership has pledged robust support, including military-backed investor protection mechanisms, to ensure the success of upcoming ventures.
The mineral sector currently contributes only 3.2% to Pakistan’s GDP, but the government views foreign investment as a critical driver for economic revival, reduced dependence on foreign loans, and long-term growth.
Reported by PakTribune Business Desk
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