The numbers alone tell the story of a sector suddenly in the global spotlight: 10,000 attendees from more than 60 countries, 13 signed agreements, and a brand-new National Minerals Data Centre. Pakistan’s third annual Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF26) wrapped up in Islamabad this week, and the scale of participation — a record for the event — signals that international investors are no longer just browsing the country’s mineral wealth; they are actively moving in.
Held over two days at the Jinnah Convention Centre, the Forum convened Pakistan’s senior political leadership alongside international mining executives, investors and technical experts with a shared goal: building a globally competitive minerals sector. The record-breaking attendance underscored what organizers called “growing international interest in Pakistan’s mineral potential,” providing a platform to forge global partnerships, attract foreign capital, and push forward the development of the country’s mineral resources. Throughout the programme, discussions repeatedly circled back to the pillars necessary for a sustainable industry: policy clarity, infrastructure investment, geological data, and homegrown capabilities.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took the stage to reaffirm the government’s commitment to unlocking the country’s mineral potential and strengthening the investment environment. “Together, we will turn Pakistan’s mineral wealth into mutually beneficial economic cooperation, investment growth and shared prosperity,” he told the audience.
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International mining leaders echoed that optimism. John L. Thornton, Chairman of Barrick Mining Corporation, used his keynote to emphasize a long-term view of the partnership. “We hope and intend to be a long-term partner with Pakistan. The potential in Pakistan over time is literally limitless,” Thornton said. “Mining is a real asset business because it is concerned with resources and wealth that are timeless. For those of us who are charged with shepherding this industry, long-term thinking is imperative. That is the kind of thinking we bring to this partnership.”
Mr. Wang Jicheng, Vice-President of Minmetals Central & South Asia, also addressed the Forum, noting that international investors are increasingly recognizing Pakistan’s potential. “Pakistan possesses extraordinary mineral wealth, much of which has remained underdeveloped for decades. Today, through the dedicated efforts of the national leadership of Pakistan, international investors are increasingly recognising Pakistan’s mineral potential, creating new opportunities for investment, employment, and economic growth,” he said.
Ambition was matched by concrete action. The Forum featured a series of strategic announcements covering new exploration discoveries by the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), Mari Energies, and National Resources Limited (NRL). The Chagai Foundation also launched initiatives to support local communities in Balochistan, reflecting a commitment to pairing mineral development with community well-being. Perhaps most significantly for the sector’s future, the government launched the National Minerals Data Centre and the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) GeoPortal — a move designed to improve access to geological information and lay the groundwork for future exploration and investment decisions.
International cooperation deepened with the signing of 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding. Among them, Mari Energies and Ivanhoe Mines exchanged an MoU to explore mineral exploration opportunities in Pakistan. The agreement allows Ivanhoe Atlantic, a subsidiary of the Canadian development company, to pursue opportunities in the country’s minerals sector. The deal marks Ivanhoe Mines’ entry into South Asia and provides a foundation for further collaboration between Pakistan and international mining companies.
The two-day conference programme also tackled the foundational issues needed to build a competitive mining industry. Sessions covered early-stage exploration financing, geological collaboration, and the development of new mining projects, alongside the infrastructure necessary to support large-scale operations — transport, energy, water, and export connectivity. A ministerial dialogue featuring representatives from Pakistan, Türkiye, and Morocco explored policy certainty, local value creation, and international cooperation in developing investor-ready mining jurisdictions.
Domestic capability development was a recurring theme. Discussions addressed workforce training, technical expertise, and greater participation of local businesses. The National Minerals Capability Development Programme showcased initiatives to strengthen Pakistan’s mining workforce and recognized graduates from its first two cohorts.
Closing the Forum, Mr. Ahmed Hayat Lak, Managing Director and CEO of OGDC and President of PMIF, struck a measured but optimistic tone. “Throughout this forum, one message has emerged with particular clarity: investment confidence is built not merely on opportunity, but on consistency, transparency and delivery. The true measure of PMIF 2026 is not the number of discussions we have held or agreements we have signed, but the partnerships advanced, the projects developed, and the investments ultimately realised,” he said.
PMIF26 concluded with record attendance and a series of new partnerships and initiatives, marking significant progress in Pakistan’s efforts to attract international investment, develop its mineral resources and strengthen domestic capabilities. The Forum will return in 2027, continuing the work of bringing government and industry together to turn these opportunities into lasting progress for the country’s minerals sector and economic development.
Why it matters: Pakistan is positioning itself as a serious destination for critical mineral investment, and the sheer volume of international participation — combined with tangible tools like the National Minerals Data Centre — suggests the country is moving beyond talk. If the 13 agreements signed this week translate into operational mines and processing facilities, Pakistan could carve out a meaningful role in global supply chains for the minerals that power everything from electric vehicles to defense technology.
Luke McNeil
Panterra Global
