Islamabad, April 09, 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended a warm invitation to American businesses, urging them to explore Pakistan’s burgeoning mineral sector, a treasure trove brimming with untapped potential. The call came during a high-profile meeting with a US delegation headed by Eric Meyer, Acting Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, on the sidelines of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF25).
Highlighting the strategic importance of the mining industry, PM Shehbaz painted a vision of economic transformation, emphasizing that Pakistan’s mineral reserves—estimated to be worth trillions—could serve as a game-changer for the nation. “This is a golden opportunity for US firms to partner with us for mutual prosperity,” he remarked, reinforcing Pakistan’s eagerness to deepen ties with the United States under President Trump’s leadership.
The PMIF25, a flagship event hosted in Islamabad, has spotlighted Pakistan’s ambition to shift from raw mineral exports to value-added production. Speaking at the forum a day earlier, Sharif stressed the need to process minerals domestically, a move he believes will bolster job creation and slash reliance on foreign loans, including from the IMF. “Exporting finished goods, not just raw materials, is the future,” he declared, also pushing for technology transfer clauses in investment deals to build local expertise.
Eric Meyer lauded Pakistan’s initiative, calling the forum a “resounding success” and signaling Washington’s keen interest in expanding economic collaboration. The US delegation’s presence underscores a growing appetite for Pakistan’s mineral wealth, from copper to rare earth elements, amid global demand surges.
The meeting saw key Pakistani figures, including Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, rallying behind the PM’s vision. With its strategic location and vast resources, Pakistan is positioning itself as a prime destination for international investors, aiming to turn its mineral potential into a cornerstone of economic revival.
