Pakistan Hosts Minerals Investment Forum 2026 With Delegates From Over 60 Countries

Pakistan opened its Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad on Thursday, bringing together participants from more than 60 countries as the government seeks international partners to develop the country's mining and mineral sector. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced the scale of foreign participation while addressing the opening session of the two-day event.

The forum gathers international mining companies, investors, financial institutions, policymakers and industry representatives to examine opportunities across Pakistan's mineral resources. According to Dar, the broad turnout signals growing international interest in the country's reserves and reflects government efforts to build long-term investment partnerships rather than one-off deals.

Pakistan is courting foreign investment in a range of resources, including copper, gold, iron ore, chromite, lead, zinc, marble and gemstones. Beyond capital, the government is asking international companies to contribute technology, technical expertise, workforce training and access to global markets, aiming to move beyond raw extraction toward broader industrial development.

Dar pointed to economic cooperation with China, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Central Asian states and European partners as potential channels for expanded investment and industrial collaboration. The event is being organised by the federal government in coordination with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Petroleum Division of the Ministry of Energy and other relevant institutions.

A central goal of the forum is to connect international companies with provincial administrations and local businesses, with the government hoping to convert preliminary investment discussions into long-term commercial projects. The mining push comes as Pakistan works to attract foreign capital and deepen industrial ties with partners across several regions.