By Khawaja Hamza
Islamabad- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed confidence that Pakistan will become one of the world’s major economies before 2050, citing a Goldman Sachs projection that the country could emerge as the world’s sixth-largest economy by 2075.
Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 on Friday, the prime minister said Pakistan’s economy was entering a new phase of growth and transformation with renewed confidence. He stressed that the country aimed to utilise its vast mineral resources for domestic industries instead of exporting them in raw form.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan wanted to develop its downstream industries and ensure that its mineral wealth contributed to domestic industrial growth. Referring to the Reko Diq project, he described it as one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits, adding that the project, which remained stalled for nearly two decades, was now moving towards practical completion and the operational phase.
He said the establishment of the National Minerals Data Centre and digitisation of geological records would ensure the availability of authentic information for investors. Federal and provincial governments would work together to promote the minerals sector, while the government would provide the business community with all necessary support to encourage investment.
The prime minister assured investors that protecting their interests and ensuring their security were government priorities. He said cooperation and trust between local communities and investors were essential for the success of mineral projects, while protecting manpower, assets and supply routes remained the government’s responsibility.
He also emphasised the need for reliable electricity, water and communication infrastructure to facilitate investment and assured investors that delays in investment-related files would be addressed as quickly as possible. Describing the younger generation as Pakistan’s valuable asset, he said the country’s youth were educated, talented and determined.
Addressing the forum, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said Pakistan aimed to become a competitive destination for long-term mineral investment, stressing that all possible measures were being taken to ensure the security of the entire mining ecosystem.
He said mines, miners, investments, industries, projects and all associated personnel would be provided protection. He described harnessing Pakistan’s mineral wealth as a collective national objective and said the country’s ambition was not limited to exporting raw materials but extended to developing the entire value chain, including refining and manufacturing.
Field Marshal Asim Munir said Pakistan wanted to establish long-term partnerships that would generate sustainable economic benefits for the country and its international partners. He stressed that mineral development must directly benefit local communities, particularly people living in mineral-rich areas, who should witness tangible improvements in their lives.
Highlighting the potential of the Pakistani people, he said they were hardworking, courageous and determined, with immense capacity to turn aspirations into reality. He observed that while the country’s resources offered opportunities, its people were the real source of strength and determination needed to achieve progress.
The Chief of Defence Forces emphasised that Pakistan must move from potential to production, from promises to practical action, and from raw material exports towards value-added economic growth.
