Islamabad: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has emphasized that Pakistan's mineral exports could reach six to eight billion dollars annually within this decade through value addition. Addressing the Pak-China Mineral Cooperation Forum, he highlighted the importance of moving beyond mere extraction, with plans to develop mineral processing plants, smelters, refining facilities, and industrial clusters linked to Special Economic Zones.
According to Radio Pakistan, Ahsan Iqbal stressed that transforming Pakistan's mineral economy requires strategic partnerships, with China's role being central. He noted that the future of Pakistan-China mineral cooperation lies in co-creating value through technology, innovation, human capital development, and long-term partnerships. By collaborating with China, Pakistan aims to convert its mineral wealth into industrial strength, export competitiveness, and shared prosperity.
Iqbal also reiterated Pakistan's commitment to ensuring the security and safety of Chinese nationals and investments, reaffirming that this remains a top national priority. He mentioned that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) focuses on translating connectivity into productivity, which in turn fosters exports, job creation, and sustainable growth. He expressed hope that this phase will help upgrade and modernize Pakistan's agriculture, industries, technological capacity, and human resources, positioning the country as a model of export-led growth.
Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik echoed these sentiments, stating that with China's support, Pakistan is positioning itself as a reliable partner in the global mineral supply chain. He invited Chinese companies, service providers, and equipment suppliers to deepen their engagement in Pakistan's mineral sector, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
Meanwhile, Minister for the Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh highlighted the growing momentum in Pakistan-China investment cooperation, particularly at the private sector level. He noted the involvement of hundreds of Pakistani companies with Chinese counterparts, leading to Memorandums of Understanding and increased business-to-business collaboration. He praised the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan for its role and reaffirmed the Board of Investment's commitment to supporting investors and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the mineral sector.
Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong delivered a keynote address, reaffirming China's strong interest in investing in Pakistan's mining sector and supporting capacity building and technological advancement. He emphasized the importance of sustainability and benchmark construction standards in mining projects, recognizing the acknowledgment from Pakistan's Ministry of Energy.
Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan Wang Huihua remarked that the Forum reflects the evolving phase of Pak-China economic cooperation, with mining and minerals emerging as a new pillar of engagement. He assured that CCCPK remains committed to facilitating structured dialogue, promoting responsible investment, and strengthening linkages between Chinese and Pakistani enterprises to support long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.
The Forum was attended by seventy-one Chinese and one hundred thirty-three Pakistani companies, showcasing the strong interest from both sides in enhancing cooperation in the mineral sector. The event also witnessed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding, indicating growing confidence and commitment towards bilateral industrial and mineral cooperation.