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Pakistan sits on $7 trillion mineral trove, claims planning minister
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Elections & Politics

Pakistan sits on $7 trillion mineral trove, claims planning minister

From Dawn · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Pakistan's Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal estimates the country's mineral wealth at over $7 trillion.
  • He cited the volatile political climate and the need for significant upfront investment as deterrents to international mining operations.
  • The government is actively seeking foreign partners, including U.S. firms, to develop these resources, mentioning mechanisms like MOUs and potential financing.

Pakistan possesses an estimated mineral wealth exceeding $7 trillion, according to Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal. However, realizing this potential faces significant hurdles, primarily the country's volatile political climate and the substantial upfront investment required for large-scale mining. These factors deter international resource developers. Iqbal stated that to overcome these challenges, the government is actively pursuing foreign partnerships, including those with U.S. firms. Mechanisms such as a memorandum of understanding with U.S. Strategic Metals and potential EXIM financing are being explored. The minister also noted Pakistan's participation in critical minerals ministerial processes. He further commented on the Indus Water Treaty, describing India's unilateral holding of it in abeyance as a "first instance."

Pakistan estimates its mineral endowment at more than $7 trillion.

— Ahsan IqbalPlanning Minister Ahsan Iqbal's statement on the country's mineral wealth.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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