ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged international mining companies to invest in mineral processing, refining and manufacturing facilities in Pakistan, calling for an integrated industrial base to ensure the country derives greater economic benefit from its natural resources.
Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, the prime minister asked investors to adopt a policy of mining, processing and manufacturing in Pakistan before exporting finished products to international markets.
“Mine in Pakistan, process in Pakistan, manufacture in Pakistan and then export to the rest of the world,” he said, reiterating a commitment made at last year’s forum to end the export of unprocessed minerals.
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He said major mining projects, particularly RekoDiq in Balochistan, should serve as the foundation for downstream industries, including refineries, smelters and factories manufacturing cables and conductors.
Such investment, he added, would create employment, strengthen local supply chains and expand the country’s manufacturing capacity.
He said the RekoDiq project on the Tethyan Copper Belt, one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits, was moving towards operations, with production expected to begin in 2028 after nearly two decades of delays.
Acknowledging the concerns of foreign investors, the prime minister said security challenges, infrastructure deficiencies and bureaucratic delays remained important considerations for companies looking to invest in the sector.
Investors expected a level playing field, transparent rules, consistency in policies, swift decision-making and strong institutions, he said, adding that the government was working to simplify procedures, eliminate red tape and expedite investment approvals.
He also promised transparency in the allocation of mining licences and contracts, inviting investors to bring delayed approvals directly to his attention. He said he would personally intervene in cases held up by bureaucratic procedures.
The prime minister said the establishment of the National Mineral Data Cell and digitisation of geological records would help investors assess the country’s mineral potential and access geological information before committing funds to exploration and mining projects.
Assuring investors of security, he said protecting company personnel, assets and supply routes was a fundamental government responsibility. Federal and provincial authorities would work together to safeguard investments.
“Your safety is our safety, and your protection is our protection,” he said.
He also stressed the need for reliable infrastructure, including electricity, water, roads, railways and communications networks, to support large-scale mining operations and facilitate the transportation of minerals and finished products.
On environmental protection, Sharif said mineral development must conform to international standards, with modern technologies adopted to minimise environmental damage.
He particularly emphasised the protection of water resources and the health and safety of workers.
Stressing the importance of local communities, the prime minister said the success of mining projects would depend on the confidence and cooperation of people living in mineral-rich areas.
He urged companies to establish vocational training centres, transfer technology, develop local suppliers and contribute to education, healthcare and access to clean drinking water.
Mining investments, he added, should provide tangible benefits through employment, business opportunities and improved social services.
He said the country’s young population could provide a skilled workforce for the expanding mining and manufacturing sectors, provided adequate training and employment opportunities were created.
The two-day forum, which began on Thursday, has brought together government officials, international investors and mining executives as Islamabad seeks to turn the country’s largely untapped mineral reserves into a driver of economic growth.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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