A two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum opened at Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad today.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan is strategically positioned to emerge as a global mining powerhouse, underpinned by its unparalleled geological wealth.

He highlighted that Pakistan is home to monumental reserves like Reko Diq. He said Pakistan also hosts vast resources of rare earth elements, industrial minerals, non-metallics and gem stones including globally sought after peridote and emerald.

The Deputy Prime Minister said with this vast untapped mineral potential, Pakistan's resource corridor is poised to reshape global supply chains and attract foreign direct investment.

Ishaq Dar said the government has prioritized the strategic development of the mining sector through progressive policy reforms and investor centric initiatives, laying the foundation for a robust eco-system that delivers value for all stakeholders.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this investment forum provides a unique platform for stakeholders, partners and friendly countries to explore new prospects and build mutually beneficial partnerships.

Later participating in a discussion session, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal emphasized that Pakistan is the destination for investment in the minerals. He said our resources are potentially so high that these will definitely attract a lot of investment and interest from local and foreign companies.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik says Pakistan possesses vast mineral wealth and offers numerous opportunities for global investment.

The Minister said the incumbent government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has successfully stabilized the economy.

He emphasized that the government has achieved macroeconomic stability through a series of structural reforms.

Ali Pervaiz Malik noted that Pakistan's current account balance has recorded a surplus of six hundred and eighty-two million dollars, while the inflation rate has decreased to approximately one percent.

The Minister also pointed out that Pakistan Stock Exchange has also become one of the best-performing stock markets in the world.

He said international organizations have recognized that Pakistan's economy is heading in the right direction.

Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government has streamlined both fiscal and legal frameworks to encourage investment in the mineral sector.

On this occasion, he gave a detailed presentation about the reserves of natural and mineral resources in Pakistan.

Speaking in the forum, CEO Barrick Gold Mark Bristow said Reko Diq copper-gold project will be the beacon that leads Pakistan into the race of the top global mining jurisdictions. In addition to economic benefits, it will create thousands of jobs.

Mark Bristow said the feasibility study of Reko Diq has been completed and this mine is set to become one of the lowest cost copper producers in the world.

He said the first production from Reko Diq is planned for 2028 and targets two hundred and forty thousand tons of copper and three hundred thousand ounces of gold per annum.