Pakistan committed to responsibly developing its energy and mineral resources, says UN envoy Asim Iftikhar
Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad Photo: APP
Pakistan said it was ready to work with all members of the UN Security Council and beyond to ensure that critical minerals become catalysts for sustainable development, progress and stability. Radio Pakistan reported.
The statement was made by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, during a briefing on ‘energy, critical minerals and security’ in New York on Friday. He said Pakistan was committed to responsible development of its energy and mineral resources.
Iftikhar highlighted that the government has launched targeted initiatives to accelerate the exploration and development of critical minerals, strengthen regulatory frameworks, modernize geological mapping, improve licensing transparency and promote environmentally friendly mining practices.
“Our goal is to ensure that Pakistan’s resource potential translates into industrial growth and social development,” the ambassador added, highlighting Islamabad’s efforts to align its mining sector with global sustainability and security goals.
Pakistan has vast untapped mineral wealth, including copper, gold, lithium, cobalt, rare earths and precious stones, but exports remain minimal and local communities see only limited benefits.
The government aims to change this situation through policy reforms, improved regulation and investment promotion, aligning Pakistan with international standards and positioning it as a responsible partner in the global minerals market.
The second Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF26), scheduled to take place on April 8-9 in Islamabad, will serve as a platform to promote awareness about the mining sector, attract sustainable investments and showcase investment-ready projects.
The forum will include technical sessions, an international gemstone exhibition and initiatives to improve market access, skills development and environmental protection for miners.
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Strategic projects, such as the Reko Diq copper and gold site in Balochistan, could generate billions in revenue, create thousands of jobs and boost Pakistan’s industrial and economic growth if properly developed.
Experts predict that exploitation of the minerals and gemstone sector could add $5 billion to $7 billion per year to GDP over the next decade, transforming underutilized resources into a major economic engine for the country.
At the same time, experts also say that treating critical minerals solely through the lens of global demand risks repeating past mistakes. Historical experiences, such as the Green Revolution, show that growth driven by production rather than human needs can worsen inequality, harm the environment and marginalize ordinary citizens.
For resource-rich countries like Pakistan, true mineral security means using domestic resources to meet local needs before prioritizing exports. Although the sale of essential minerals can generate income for a small elite, translating these gains into large-scale societal benefits remains a major challenge.
