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Aftab Maken
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China deepened their strategic partnership in the minerals sector today with the successful convening of the Pak–China Mineral Cooperation Forum at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.
The event, organized by the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan (CCCPK), drew over 800 participants, including representatives from more than 70 Chinese companies and 100+ Pakistani firms, underscoring robust bilateral interest in expanding collaboration across the mineral value chain—from exploration and mining to processing and capacity building.
Chief Guest Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, highlighted the enduring Pak-China friendship, now marking 75 years of diplomatic ties, and praised the transformative impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Pakistan’s infrastructure, energy, and industrial sectors. He emphasized shifting focus from raw mineral extraction to value addition through processing plants, smelters, and refineries to potentially boost annual mineral exports to $6-8 billion.
Jiang Zaidong, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, delivered the keynote address, reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to investing in Pakistan’s mining sector while prioritizing sustainability, technological advancement, and community harmony. He cited the Saindak Copper-Gold Project as a success story, having trained over 5,200 local employees, and stressed China’s support for “small and beautiful” projects in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Ali Pervaiz Malik, Federal Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division), outlined Pakistan’s push for responsible, value-added mineral development amid global demand for critical minerals in the energy transition. He spotlighted China’s expertise in rare earths, copper smelting, and refining, and highlighted existing joint ventures like Saindak, Duddar Lead-Zinc, and Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company.
The minister invited Chinese firms to the upcoming Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 and noted ongoing collaboration between the Geological Survey of Pakistan and China Geological Survey since 2010, including nationwide geochemical sampling to identify high-potential zones.
Wang Huihua, Chairman of CCCPK, described mining as an emerging pillar of Pak-China economic ties, with the chamber facilitating responsible investment and enterprise linkages. Mr. Wang Jicheng, Chairman of MCC (a key Chinese player in Pakistan’s mining), shared experiences in technology transfer, workforce training, and best practices, pledging long-term expansion in exploration and downstream activities.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Minister for the Board of Investment, pointed to growing private-sector momentum, with hundreds of Pakistani firms signing MoUs with Chinese counterparts, and reaffirmed BOI’s support for investors.
Key highlights included the launch of the Pak–China E-Mining Platform, a digital tool to boost information sharing, project connectivity, and transparency between authorities and enterprises. Several MoUs were signed, including one between Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC), POWERCHINA International, and Pak China Investment Company Limited for investment facilitation and joint development, as well as frameworks for digital cross-border industrial trade.
The forum featured policy briefings, sectoral presentations on Pakistan’s mineral potential and regulatory incentives, technical sessions on geological cooperation, and business matchmaking with stall exhibitions to foster direct partnerships.
The event reinforced the “ironclad” Pak-China all-weather friendship, committing both nations to sustainable mineral development, technological innovation, policy alignment, and mutual economic prosperity through enhanced bilateral cooperation.
