ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the government is taking measures on a priority basis to increase foreign investment in Pakistan, as Islamabad looks to attract international capital into key sectors, particularly mining, minerals and export-oriented industries.
The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with Wang Jicheng, Chairman of Chinese company MCC Tongsin Resources, in Islamabad. The Chinese firm expressed keen interest in expanding its investment in Pakistan’s mineral and mining sector and briefed the prime minister on plans for setting up a mineral park in the country.
Welcoming the company’s interest, Shahbaz Sharif invited MCC Tongsin Resources to invest across the full mineral value chain — from extraction and processing to the manufacturing and export of finished goods. He said the government would extend full facilitation to foreign investors so that Pakistan’s mineral wealth could be used not just for raw exports, but for value-added production as well.
The prime minister directed relevant federal ministers and senior officials to remain engaged with the Chinese company and take the consultation process forward. He also instructed that the Balochistan chief minister, provincial departments and other stakeholders be included in discussions, given the province’s importance in Pakistan’s mineral landscape.
Shahbaz said China remains Pakistan’s long-standing friend and an important partner in development. He appreciated Beijing’s support during difficult times and said Pakistan was grateful to the Chinese leadership and people for their continued cooperation.
The meeting comes at a time when the government is trying to revive investor confidence and bring fresh foreign direct investment into the economy. Pakistan has been facing pressure from low growth, high inflation and external financing needs, while also holding talks with international lenders and friendly countries to stabilize the economy. Reuters reported that Pakistan has been seeking foreign investment to strengthen its economy and foreign exchange reserves, including investment commitments from Gulf partners.
The mining sector has become one of Islamabad’s major focus areas in recent years, with officials repeatedly saying that Pakistan’s untapped mineral reserves can help increase exports, create jobs and reduce pressure on the current account. But investors have often pointed to regulatory delays, security concerns, infrastructure gaps and policy uncertainty as hurdles.
That is why, officials say, the government is now trying to offer more direct facilitation to serious foreign investors. In Shahbaz Sharif’s words, the aim is to move beyond simple resource extraction and build an export-linked industrial base around minerals.
Federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Dr. Musadik Malik, Rana Tanveer Hussain and Jam Kamal Khan, along with other senior officials, also attended the meeting.
