PM Shehbaz calls for mineral development alongside environmental protection

SUKKUR BUREAU —Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for Pakistan's mineral resources to be developed alongside environmental protection, stressing that mining projects must follow international standards and use modern technology to safeguard water resources and workers' health and safety.

Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad, he said responsible mining and environmental conservation must go hand in hand, adding that the government would ensure mineral development did not come at the expense of the environment. The prime minister said investors were expected to adopt environmentally responsible practices and use state-of-the-art technology to minimise the impact of mining activities.

He also stressed that mineral investments should deliver tangible benefits to communities near mining sites through employment, local businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and clean drinking water. The government would work with provincial administrations and investors to ensure local populations became the primary beneficiaries of mineral development.

Live: PM Sharif addresses Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 https://t.co/akfVXC3jz8 — Pakistan TV Digital (@PakistanTVcom) November 13, 2026 Calls for local processing, manufacturing of minerals Shehbaz urged foreign investors to mine, process and manufacture minerals in Pakistan rather than export them in raw form, saying the country needed to develop its entire mineral value chain to generate greater economic opportunities.

He said Pakistan wanted to establish downstream industries, including refineries, smelters and cable and conductor factories, to ensure its mineral wealth generated greater economic value. "My humble and sound advice to you would be: mine in Pakistan, process in Pakistan, manufacture in Pakistan and then export to the rest of the world," he said, describing the approach as the government's philosophy and mission.

Recalling his address at the previous edition of the forum, the prime minister said he had committed to ending the practice of exporting the country's precious minerals in raw form. "I am happy to renew my commitment. InshaAllah, the day is not far away when this will come to a grinding halt, and these treasured minerals will be fully utilised by Pakistan's downstream industry," he said. “Mine in Pakistan, process in Pakistan, export to the world.” Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calls for refineries and cable and conductor factories alongside mining projects.

He pledges full support for businesses, simpler… pic.twitter.com/TuZfDpHfKC — Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) November 13, 2026 Pledges investor facilitation, improved security Welcoming international delegates, Shehbaz said Pakistan wanted investment partnerships extending beyond extraction to processing and manufacturing.

He described such arrangements as the foundation of fair and equitable partnerships that would create value for Pakistan while offering significant opportunities to investors. "I have always maintained that my investor is my master, and rightfully so," he said, adding that investors expected a level playing field, transparent rules, swift decision-making, consistency in policies and strong institutions.

Outlining the government's efforts to meet these expectations, he said it was simplifying procedures, eliminating red tape, reducing unnecessary delays and ensuring transparency in the award of licences and contracts. He added that the National Mineral Data Cell and digitisation of geological records would enable investors to assess underground mineral resources before committing their funds.

The prime minister assured investors that federal and provincial governments would work together to facilitate their projects, saying the presence of chief ministers and federal representatives at the forum reflected a unified approach. "We will work for your interest as one team and, InshaAllah, provide you with all necessary support and assistance to promote your business in Pakistan," he said.

Also Read: New copper-gold deposits discovered in Balochistan's Chagai Shehbaz said protecting investors' personnel, assets and supply routes was the government's fundamental responsibility. "Your safety is our safety, and your protection is our protection. We are sailing in the same boat," he said.

He also offered to personally intervene if bureaucratic delays or cumbersome procedures held up investment projects. "If any file gets stuck due to bureaucratic delays or cumbersome procedures, bring it straight to me. I will personally ensure that it moves with lightning speed. This is my personal guarantee to all of you," he said.

Highlighting Pakistan's young population as another national asset, Shehbaz urged investors to establish skills training centres and vocational institutes, facilitate technology transfers and promote local suppliers. "Our real wealth is not only in our mountains; it is also in our young people," he said, describing the country's youth as educated, resilient and capable of turning natural resources into national progress and prosperity.

The prime minister also stressed the importance of cooperation with local communities and reliable infrastructure, including electricity, water, roads, railways and communications, to ensure the success of mineral investments. Reko Diq production expected to begin in 2028 The prime minister highlighted the Reko Diq project on the Tethyan Copper Belt, describing it as one of the world's largest untapped copper and gold deposits.

He said production was expected to begin in 2028, adding that a project which had remained stalled for two decades was now moving towards operational execution. Shehbaz thanked Barrick for maintaining its confidence in Pakistan and acknowledged its chairman, John Thornton, for sharing Goldman Sachs' assessment that Pakistan could become the world's sixth-largest economy by 2075.

Expressing confidence that the target could be achieved earlier, he said, "Instead of 2075, InshaAllah, it will be earlier than 2050." Acknowledging the challenges ahead, he stressed the importance of perseverance. "At the most critical point, you must rest a bit but never quit. That is our philosophy, and that will make Pakistan a great country among nations," he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, saying Reko Diq is moving towards implementation after remaining stalled for two decades. He also commends the petroleum minister and his team for their commitment to advancing the sector.… pic.twitter.com/Ebw9pJD0rl — Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) November 13, 2026 CDF Munir vows security for mining sector to attract long-term mineral investment Also addressing the forum earlier, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir pledged to ensure security across Pakistan's mining sector as part of efforts to attract long-term mineral investment and make the country a competitive destination for international investors.

The field marshal said every possible measure was being taken to ensure the security of the entire mining sector. He assured that mines, miners, investments, industries, projects and people associated with the sector would be provided protection. CDF Munir said Pakistan aimed to become a competitive destination for long-term mineral investment, stressing the importance of creating a secure environment for mining activities and related industries.

He said unlocking Pakistan's mineral wealth was a collective national objective and emphasised that the country needed to move beyond exporting raw materials. Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir says Pakistan is committed to ensuring security across the entire mining ecosystem and attracting long-term mineral investment.

Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, he stresses developing the complete value… pic.twitter.com/HiKHcDJd5g — Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) November 13, 2026 The army chief said the objective was to develop the entire mineral value chain, including refining and manufacturing, to generate greater economic benefits.

He added that Pakistan wanted to establish long-term partnerships that would create sustainable economic value for the country and its international partners. Field Marshal Munir also stressed that mineral development must benefit local communities, particularly those living in mineral-rich areas.

He said people in these regions should see tangible improvements in their lives as a result of mining activities. Highlighting the country's human potential, the field marshal said Pakistanis were hardworking, courageous and determined, with the ability to turn their aspirations into reality.

He said the country's natural resources provided opportunities, while its people possessed the strength and determination required to achieve results. The army chief called for a shift from potential to production, promises to implementation, and raw material exports to value-added economic growth.

He concluded his address with the slogan, "Pakistan Hamesha Zindabad." Read More: Finance minister dubs mining sector a ‘game-changer’ for Pakistan’s economy at investment forum in Islamabad Earlier, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said Pakistan would offer investors clear and uniform fiscal terms for mining projects, without requiring "case-by-case" negotiations, as the government sought to attract long-term investment in the country's mineral sector.

Malik said, “Our aim is straightforward. We want clear fiscal terms available to every responsible company without the need to negotiate special arrangements on a case-to-case basis." The forum brought together international investors and government officials as Pakistan sought to attract foreign investment in its mineral sector, with provincial leaders outlining investment opportunities, incentives and development plans. “Terms that are attractive and fair for investors, to the provinces and to the federal government alike,” he added.

The minister said the government was also committed to providing "security and safety for the mine sites, logistics and above all trained human resources." “Special arrangements have been made to augment the security framework for uninterrupted operations of mines in a conducive environment,” he added.

Malik said the government was investing in better geological data, led largely by the Geological Survey of Pakistan, to help investors scientifically assess risks associated with mining projects. وفاقی وزیر علی پرویز ملک کا پاکستان منرلزانویسٹمنٹ فورم 2026 سے خطاب pic.twitter.com/PX1uwXUMTQ — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) November 13, 2026 “You cannot price risk for a project you cannot scientifically measure,” he said, adding that more than 40 mineral exploration licences had recently been granted in Balochistan's Chagai and Khuzdar districts, reflecting growing private-sector participation in strategic and critical minerals.

The government was also developing road connectivity between Chagai's mineral-rich belt and Gwadar port, as well as linking Thar coal to power plants, to facilitate transportation and connect mineral resources with international markets. “For too long, we have exported raw ore or concentrate and imported the finished products to meet our requirements.

We are now advancing copper smelting to capture more of the value chain from the mine to the finished metal,” Malik said. The minister said the government was accelerating geological mapping, including detailed surveys at a scale of 1:50,000, to identify mineral prospects across the country.

These included copper and gold in Chagai and western Balochistan, lithium, tin and tungsten in Gilgit-Baltistan, and antimony and base metals in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The exploration programme was being supported by modern geochemical and geophysical surveys, exploratory drilling and upgraded research laboratories.

The minister also cited international technical cooperation, including the UK-Pakistan Geoscience Capacity Building Programme, as part of efforts to strengthen expertise in digital mapping, airborne surveys and mineral assessment. He said the government was digitising decades of geological information to provide investors with better access to reliable data, reduce exploration uncertainty and support informed investment decisions. “Discovering a mineral deposit is only the beginning.

A commercially viable mine requires power, water, roads, railways and access to international markets,” he said. In this regard, Malik identified the planned upgradation of the Rohri-Nokundi Railway Corridor, connectivity to Port Qasim and supporting infrastructure around Reko Diq as important steps towards linking mineral-rich regions with international markets. “Our objective is very clear – to build not just individual mines but an integrated, competitive and sustainable mineral industry,” he said, adding that the government wanted investment to support processing, refining, downstream industries, technology transfer and integration into global value chains wherever commercially and technically viable.

The minister said the mining sector should also develop local capabilities through technical skills, vocational training, engineering services and a stronger base of Pakistani suppliers, while creating career opportunities for young people, including women entering the sector. He stressed that mining projects must deliver tangible benefits to communities in producing regions through improved livelihoods, skills, services and local opportunities.

Environmental management, safety standards and transparent community engagement were also essential to responsible mining, he added. Also read: Sindh's mineral sector open for investment: CM “Projects that earn the trust of the communities around them are, in our experience, the projects that actually get built and sustained,” Malik said.

The minister thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their support in developing the country's mineral sector and invited international investors to bring forward proposed projects. He assured investors that the government would facilitate follow-up meetings, technical discussions, site visits and project evaluations. “If you have a project in mind, kindly bring it to us and we will set out a clear path of follow-up meetings, technical discussions, site visits and project visits and project evaluation, not a vague promise to be in touch,” he said.

Addressing representatives of Barrick, Ivanhoe and Minmetals, among other investors and partners, Malik said Pakistan was open to long-term mining investment. “Pakistan is open for long-term mining investment, and we hope to earn your confidence through what we deliver from here, starting from how we follow up after this forum ends,” he said.