PMIF26 will promote mining awareness, boost economic activity and attract sustainable investments in Pakistan
According to sources, Lersten proposed collaboration to assess reserves and secure extraction agreements to accelerate mineral extraction. Photo: Reuters
Pakistan has vast untapped mineral wealth, including copper, gold, lithium, cobalt, rare earths and precious stones, but exports remain minimal and local communities see limited benefits. In a blog published in The national interestThe author, Saima Afzal, notes that “Pakistan’s political reforms aim to align it with international standards and position itself as a responsible partner in the global minerals market.”
Building on PMIF25, which attracted 5,000 delegates from more than 50 countries and resulted in 14 MOUs, PMIF26 will host a strategic conference, technical sessions, an international gemstone exhibition and an investor resource library.
The Second Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF26), taking place on April 8-9 in Islamabad, is central to this strategy. Federal Minister of Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said: “PMIF26 will serve as a key platform to promote mining awareness, stimulate economic activity and attract sustainable investments to Pakistan’s mining sector.”
Read: Pakistan’s mineral wealth: opportunities and risks
Mineral deposits in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, including the Reko Diq site with over 5.9 billion tonnes of ore, have been underexplored for a long time. If used effectively, it can produce billions of dollars in revenue, provide thousands of job opportunities, and positively change area commerce.
The government recently released a national policy framework for gemstones, which aims to export $1 billion in five years with modernized certification and higher value addition. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved “international standards laboratories, certification systems and centers of excellence for gemstones” to boost credibility and attract private investment.
The reforms aim to empower local miners and entrepreneurs with better market access and fair prices. They include skills development, use of modern technology and collaboration with global industry players to improve product quality and export potential.
Countries such as Chile, Australia and Canada have leveraged their mining sectors through structured policies, transparency and international collaboration.
Chile accounts for almost a third of global copper production, while Australia has developed exports of lithium, cobalt and rare earths. PMIF26 seeks to reduce Pakistan’s historical lag by showcasing investment-ready projects and reforms that meet global standards for extraction, transparency and environmental management.
PMIF26 positions Pakistan as a regional hub for critical minerals essential for energy transition, high-tech manufacturing and industrial development. A recent memorandum of understanding between US-based Strategic Metals (USSM) and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization demonstrates the potential for technology transfer, mineral production and integration into global supply chains.
Read more: Government begins outreach activities for Mineral Investment Forum
Experts predict that the development of Pakistan’s minerals and gemstones industry could boost GDP by $5 billion to $7 billion annually over the next decade, creating tens of thousands of jobs. Strategic foreign investment, local reforms and technological improvements could transform underutilized resources into a major economic driver.
Environmental protection and social safeguards are part of the agenda, with discussions on ESG compliance and worker safety integrated into PMIF26 procedures.
By aligning the policy with international standards and creating a transparent investment platform,
Faced with growing demand for critical minerals, Pakistan aims to convert “untapped potential into measurable economic and social impact” and make its mining sector a strategic engine of growth. PMIF26 is not simply a forum, it is a strategic milestone that turns untapped potential into measurable economic and social impact.
