Pakistan signed 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, which concluded in Islamabad on Friday, bringing together international mining companies, investors and government representatives.
The agreements cover mineral exploration, investment opportunities, geological surveys and activities linked to existing mining licences, as Pakistan moves to attract foreign investment and develop its vast mineral resources.
Ahmed Hayat Lak, managing director of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and president of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, confirmed that 13 agreements and MoUs were signed during the event.
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the forum, Lak said the agreements covered different areas of the mining sector, including investment, ongoing licences, exploration and geological surveys.
He added that some of the agreements could lead to the award of contracts, although their combined financial value was not disclosed.
The forum attracted greater international participation than last year, with mining companies, investors, service providers and government officials attending the event. Country pavilions representing the European Union and Canada were also established, while companies from the United States and China participated.
Lak said Pakistan had taken steps to harmonise its mining regulations and legal framework to provide greater consistency across provinces and facilitate international investment.
He said regulatory and legal reforms were among the most important requirements for developing the country’s mineral sector.
Mining activities in Pakistan are primarily regulated by provincial governments, making coordination between federal and provincial authorities important for investors seeking licences and approvals.
The participation of provincial chief ministers, the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and senior mining officials provided international delegates with opportunities to engage directly with relevant authorities.
The forum also highlighted cooperation agreements with Britain and Germany to strengthen collaboration between Pakistan’s Geological Survey and their international counterparts.
Reko Diq project remains central to Pakistan’s mining ambitions
The development of major projects, including the multibillion-dollar Reko Diq copper and gold project, also featured prominently during the forum.
Barrick Mining Corporation’s Global Group Chairman John Thornton attended the event for two days, held meetings and delivered a keynote address.
Lak said Barrick remained committed to developing the Reko Diq project on a fast-track basis, adding that Pakistan and the company were working together to advance development through cost-effective and time-efficient strategies.
The project is among Pakistan’s major mineral development initiatives and is expected to play an important role in expanding the country’s mining industry.
Government seeks local mineral processing and manufacturing
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik highlighted the increased international participation at this year’s forum, saying the exhibition area had expanded fourfold compared with the previous year.
He said Pakistan’s priority was to translate its geological potential into practical projects and investment opportunities.
Malik also highlighted a memorandum of understanding involving Ivanhoe and Pakistan’s Mari Minerals as an example of the partnerships emerging from the event.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged international mining companies to establish mineral processing and manufacturing facilities in Pakistan instead of exporting unprocessed resources.
He called for a strategy focused on mining, processing and manufacturing within the country before exporting finished products to international markets.
Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir also assured investors, workers and mining companies of maximum security for mining projects, highlighting the government’s commitment to creating a secure environment for investment.
The signing of 13 agreements at the Islamabad forum marks another step in Pakistan’s efforts to attract international investment, strengthen its mining sector and turn its mineral resources into economic opportunities.
