Pakistan stands at the threshold of a historic economic opportunity. Beneath its mountains, deserts, and plains lies a vast and largely untapped treasure of minerals—copper, gold, lithium, rare earth elements, and other critical minerals that are fast becoming the backbone of the 21st-century global economy. Credible estimates place the potential value of Pakistan’s mineral reserves in the trillions of dollars. For a country seeking sustainable growth, industrial revival, export diversification, and job creation, this is not merely a geological advantage; it is a strategic opportunity.
The challenge, however, has never been about the existence of resources. It has been about vision, governance, technology, and partnerships. Encouragingly, Pakistan now appears to be aligning these elements. The Pak–China Mineral Cooperation Forum held in Islamabad on January 28, 2026, was more than a conference—it was a strong signal that Pakistan is serious about transforming its mineral wealth into industrial strength, and that China remains a committed partner in this long journey.
From Dormant Potential to Strategic Priority
Historically, Pakistan’s mineral sector has suffered from underinvestment, fragmented governance, limited exploration, and an overreliance on raw extraction. While the country hosts some of the world’s most promising mineral belts—stretching across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Sindh—its contribution to GDP and exports has remained modest. This disconnect between potential and performance has long frustrated policymakers and investors alike.
What has changed is the global context. The accelerating transition to clean energy, electric vehicles, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing has triggered intense global competition for critical minerals. Lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, and rare earth elements are no longer just commodities; they are strategic assets. Pakistan, endowed with many of these resources, is now positioning itself as a responsible and reliable player in the global mineral supply chain.
The government’s renewed focus on incentive-based policies, regulatory reforms, and investment facilitation reflects a recognition that minerals can serve as a catalyst for broader industrialization—if developed wisely.
Pak–China Cooperation: A Natural Convergence
The Pak–China Mineral Cooperation Forum, organized by the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan (CCCPK) at the Jinnah Convention Centre, brought this emerging vision into sharp focus. With over 850 participants, including 71 Chinese companies and 133 Pakistani firms, the forum demonstrated strong bilateral interest in moving beyond rhetoric toward practical cooperation across the entire mineral value chain.
The presence of senior leadership—including Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal; Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong; Federal Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) Ali Pervaiz Malik; and Federal Minister for the Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh—underscored the strategic importance Pakistan attaches to this sector.
At its core, the forum reflected an evolving phase of Pakistan–China relations. While energy, infrastructure, and connectivity have been the hallmarks of CPEC, minerals are emerging as a new pillar—one that directly links natural resources to industrial clusters, exports, and employment.
Beyond Extraction: The Value-Addition Imperative
A recurring theme throughout the forum was the need to move beyond raw extraction. Prof. Ahsan Iqbal’s emphasis on value-added processing captured a long-standing lesson from resource-rich countries: minerals alone do not create prosperity; industries do. Exporting unprocessed ores yields limited returns, while refining, processing, and manufacturing generate jobs, skills, and sustained growth.
With an estimated mineral potential of around $6 trillion, Pakistan cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of resource dependency. Instead, the focus must be on developing downstream industries—smelting, refining, alloy production, and mineral-based manufacturing—supported by industrial zones and logistics infrastructure.
China’s experience is particularly relevant here. Its expertise in mining, processing, and refining critical minerals has been central to its industrial rise. Joint ventures that combine Pakistan’s resources with Chinese technology, capital, and market access can help bridge Pakistan’s long-standing capability gaps.
Responsible Mining and Community Inclusion
Another notable aspect of the forum was the emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. Ambassador Jiang Zaidong highlighted the importance of benchmark construction standards, responsible mining, and harmonious relations with local communities. This is a crucial point. In regions like Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, mineral development must translate into visible local benefits—jobs, skills, infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
The Saindak project offers valuable lessons. With over 5,200 local employees trained, it demonstrates how mining can contribute to human capital development when local participation is prioritized. Such models need to be scaled up, ensuring that mineral-rich regions are not merely extraction zones but beneficiaries of development.
China’s emphasis on “small and beautiful projects”—schools, hospitals, and local infrastructure—complements large-scale investments and helps build trust at the grassroots level. For Pakistan, this approach aligns well with the need to integrate economic growth with social cohesion.
Policy Stability and Investor Confidence
For investors, minerals are a long-term commitment. Exploration alone can take years, while mine development and processing facilities require decades of operational certainty. Recognizing this, Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to policy stability, strengthened regulations, and alignment with international standards.
Successful joint ventures such as Saindak, Duddar, and Sindh Engro demonstrate that when policies are clear and coordination is effective, Pakistan can attract and retain serious investors. The government’s focus on streamlined approvals and federal–provincial coordination is particularly important in a sector where jurisdictional overlap has often caused delays.
The invitation to participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 further signals continuity and seriousness. Investors value predictability, and Pakistan’s message is increasingly one of reliability and long-term partnership.
Digitalization and Transparency: A New Chapter
One of the most forward-looking outcomes of the forum was the launch of the Pak–China E-Mining Platform. In a sector often criticized for opacity, this digital initiative has the potential to transform information sharing, project connectivity, and regulatory transparency.
By linking Pakistani authorities with Chinese enterprises through a centralized digital platform, the initiative can reduce information asymmetries, speed up decision-making, and enhance investor confidence. In the long run, such tools can also help Pakistan improve data-driven policymaking and oversight.
Private Sector Momentum and Institutional Support
Equally encouraging was the strong private-sector engagement highlighted by BOI Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh. Hundreds of Pakistani companies are now engaging with Chinese counterparts, resulting in MoUs and growing business-to-business collaboration. This reflects a maturing relationship—one that is increasingly driven by enterprises rather than solely by governments.
Institutions like CCCPK have played a crucial facilitative role, providing structured dialogue platforms and matchmaking opportunities. The MoUs signed during the forum, including those involving PMDC, POWERCHINA, and Pak China Investment Company Limited, point toward concrete follow-up and joint development initiatives.
A Shared Future Built on Resources and Responsibility
The Pak–China Mineral Cooperation Forum reaffirmed a simple but powerful idea: Pakistan’s mineral wealth, if developed responsibly, can become a foundation for shared prosperity. For Pakistan, this means industrialization, exports, and jobs. For China, it means secure supply chains, sustainable investments, and deepened strategic ties with a trusted partner.
The road ahead will not be easy. It will require institutional reform, capacity building, environmental safeguards, and sustained political commitment. But the direction is now clearer than ever. Pakistan is no longer content with merely knowing what lies beneath its soil; it is preparing to shape what rises above it.
If managed wisely, Pakistan’s mineral moment can redefine its economic trajectory—not as a raw material exporter, but as a value-adding, industrializing nation embedded in regional and global supply chains. The Islamabad forum was a strong step in that direction. The real test now lies in implementation, continuity, and the collective will to turn potential into lasting progress.
