Pakistan is preparing to host the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 (PMIF26) at Islamabad’s Jinnah Convention Centre from 12 to 13 November. The high-profile event is designed to convene international investors, global mining corporations, and financial institutions to accelerate foreign direct investment into the country’s largely unexploited mineral sector.
Originally slated for April, the rescheduled summit will concentrate heavily on mineral exploration, project development, value addition, and the integration of modern extraction technologies. Federal Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) Ali Pervaiz Malik stated that the primary objective is to cultivate sustainable foreign partnerships to develop resources that have historically remained dormant. The forum’s technical sessions will feature extensive discussions on advanced geological exploration, resource assessment, remote sensing, and geophysical mapping technologies.
The Reko Diq Catalyst and Critical Minerals
Central to Pakistan’s pitch to international markets is the $8.83 billion Reko Diq copper and gold project in Balochistan’s Chagai district. The mega-project is jointly owned by Barrick Gold Corporation (50 per cent), the Balochistan provincial government (25 per cent), and three federal state-owned enterprises (25 per cent). The government aims to leverage this flagship development to signal operational viability to global players amid soaring international demand for critical minerals—including copper, gold, and rare earth elements essential for advanced manufacturing and global electrification.
Bridging the Economic Gap
Pakistan currently possesses 92 known minerals, 52 of which are commercially exploited. Despite hosting estimated mineral reserves valued at approximately $8 trillion, the mining sector has historically contributed less than 3 per cent to the national gross domestic product (GDP).
Through PMIF26, policymakers intend to aggressively bridge this gap by transitioning the sector into a primary driver of industrial growth and export revenue. The government is looking to build on the momentum of last year’s forum, which attracted roughly 5,000 delegates from over 50 countries and resulted in the signing of 16 memoranda of understanding following 18 comprehensive panel discussions.