Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared Tuesday that Pakistan’s untapped mineral reserves, valued in the trillions of dollars, hold the key to the nation’s economic independence. 

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25), PM Shehbaz asserted that successful exploitation of these resources could free Pakistan from its dependence on international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The two-day PMIF25, attracting approximately 300 foreign delegates at Islamabad’s Jinnah Convention Centre, aims to establish a unified framework for attracting investment in Pakistan’s mining sector across all four provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.  The forum serves as a platform for global stakeholders to explore lucrative investment opportunities in this burgeoning sector.

Sharif emphasized a new policy direction, stating that future investment agreements will mandate value addition within Pakistan.  “We will not allow raw materials to be shipped out,” he declared.

 Instead, the government intends to partner with investors to establish downstream industries, transforming raw materials into finished goods for export.  This partnership, Sharif stressed, will involve technology transfer to Pakistan.

“Such agreements will entail that investors will bring technology and transfer it to Pakistan over a period of time,” he said.

The Prime Minister highlighted the immense potential of Pakistan’s mineral wealth, publicly estimating its value in the trillions of dollars.  He painted a vision of a future where the successful development of these resources would eliminate the country’s reliance on foreign loans and its need for IMF assistance. 

The summit was also attended by chief ministers of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab as well as Army Chief General Asim Munir.