Pakistan and China have unveiled a large-scale mineral cooperation initiative designed to attract $10 billion in new investment, with a goal of boosting annual mineral exports to $50 billion by 2035.
The plan was declared at the China-Pakistan Mineral Cooperation Forum, held as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that the partnership focuses on industrial development beyond infrastructure, describing it as a key pillar of CPEC 2.0 and the country’s Uraan economic framework.
He added that the initiative is expected to promote sustainable growth and generate employment opportunities.
Pakistan and China also introduced the Pak‑China E‑Mining Platform, a digital hub designed to exchange information, connect projects, and streamline investment coordination.
Officials noted that the platform could open up more than $10 billion in potential mining investments.
Pakistan is estimated to have nearly $6 trillion worth of mineral resources, while current mineral exports stand at around $2 billion a year.
The government is targeting a near-term increase in exports to between $6 billion and $8 billion by boosting value addition through mineral processing, smelting, and refining, drawing on projects such as Saindak, Dodar, and Thar as benchmarks.
Iqbal affirmed that Pakistan has the potential to increase exports to China from $3 billion to $50 billion by 2035, emphasizing that improved governance, technology transfer, and sustainable practices would enhance trade ties and lessen dependence on IMF assistance.
Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reaffirmed China’s pledge to invest in Pakistan’s mining industry. He assured backing for technology transfer, capacity building, and sustainable mining methods, while underscoring responsible development and community involvement as central priorities.
Officials emphasized that the introduction of the Pak‑China E‑Mining Platform represents a significant step forward in bilateral mineral collaboration and industrial expansion.
TRAVEL & TOURISM | WTTC Warns Changes to U.S. ESTA Program Requirements May Hit Tourism
