Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the distribution of 100,000 free laptops among talented students across the country on merit, during an International Youth Day event in Islamabad on Tuesday. Premier stated that the distribution of these laptops will cover all four provinces, the federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism. He added that these laptops would be separate from the scheme for laptops through interest-based loans. Referring to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the prime minister mentioned that Pakistan’s victory on May 10 against a numerically larger and more boastful enemy had instilled a new vigour in the entire nation. He urged the youth to build on the spirit of this achievement and work hard to bring honour to the country. Earlier, during the ceremony, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood, said the government’s merit-based programs for youth had enabled talented and des...
Pakistan & US host webinar to promote investment in Pakistan’s mining sector amongst American investors
Government of Pakistan in collaboration with the USA Embassy in Pakistan, hosted a high-level webinar "Opportunities in Pakistan’s Mining Sector – Unlocking Mineral Potential" aimed at promoting investment opportunities in Pakistan’s minerals and mining sector to American investors and companies.
This direct line virtual event was hosted together by Federal Minister of Energy (Petroleum Division) Ali Pervaiz Malik and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan H.E Natalie Baker at Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDCL) Head Office in Islamabad. The webinar brought together senior officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), leading Pakistani mineral and energy companies, representatives of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and top USA diplomats and energy sector stakeholders. Secretary Petroleum Mr. Momin Agha, MD OGDCL Mr. Ahmed Hayat Lak, Managing Directors of GHPL and Mari Energies, DG Mines, MD PMDC, and senior representatives from Ark Metals, BMEC, BMRL, and PPL, US Embassy’s Economic Counsellor, and Energy Officer participated, along with various American business representatives who virtually attended the event.
In his keynote remarks, Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik highlighted the vast potential of Pakistan’s mining sector. “Pakistan is richly endowed with mineral resources, including gold, copper, coal, rare earth elements and other critical minerals essential for renewable energy transition,” he said. The Minister noted the international significance of the Reko Diq copper-gold project and pointed to recent discoveries in Balochistan’s Chaghi district and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Waziristan region.
He emphasized Pakistan’s role in global transition towards clean energy, citing the country’s abundant reserves of critical minerals as a foundation for its green transition. “Renewable energy development is central to our climate goals and economic future. We are facilitating this shift by supporting the mining of essential minerals and improving ease of doing business,” he stated.
The Minister also acknowledged the success of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25), held earlier this year, which attracted over 5,000 participants and brought global attention to Pakistan’s mineral wealth. “PMIF25 marked a turning point, showcasing Pakistan as a serious player in the global minerals economy,” he said, while inviting USA companies to explore public-private partnerships and joint ventures. He stressed how Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif & COAS Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir are personally leading the development of mining sector in Pakistan.
The Minister emphasised that Government of Pakistan and SIFC are fully committed to provide all kind of facilitation to international companies in building partnership aimed at unlocking Pakistan’s vast mineral reserves.
USA Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Natalie Baker reaffirmed the long-standing economic partnership between the United States of America and Pakistan. “Pakistan offers immense opportunities in the minerals sector. With one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits at Reko Diq, and a strong commitment to economic reforms, this is the right time for USA investors to explore and engage,” she said. Ms. Baker commended Pakistan’s recent policy efforts to unlock the mining sector’s potential and underscored the USA Embassy’s commitment to supporting American businesses looking to invest in Pakistan. “We are here to facilitate connections and create win-win partnerships. USA investors have long contributed to Pakistan’s development, and we see great promise in this sector,” she added.
Participants were briefed on ongoing regulatory reforms, including the development of a National Minerals Harmonisation Framework aimed at streamlining investment procedures and aligning federal and provincial regulations. The digitalization of geological data and the upgrading of the Geological Survey of Pakistan are also underway to improve transparency and data access for investors.
Pakistani side also hosted a Q&A session with the American investors to clear any ambiguities / queries.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Baker reiterated the USA government’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s economic development and deepening bilateral economic ties. “We believe in Pakistan’s potential, and we see shared opportunity in its journey toward inclusive, sustainable growth,” she concluded.
The webinar reinforced Pakistan’s strategic positioning within the Tethyan Metallogenic Belt, known for its rich mineral endowments, and outlined attractive investment opportunities across the mining value chain.
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