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ISLAMABAD, Jan 28 (APP):Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on Wednesday invited Chinese companies to participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF) 2026, scheduled to be held on April 8 and 9 this year.
Addressing the Pakistan-China Minerals Cooperation Forum, the minister said, “I extend a formal invitation to all the Chinese companies and delegates present here to participate in the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum 2026 scheduled to be held in April.”
“We would particularly welcome participation through a country pavilion showcasing mining capabilities, technologies and equipment. The forum will serve as a focused platform for structured engagement with policymakers, regulators and project sponsors,” he said.
The minister thanked the Chinese Chamber, Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd (MCC), and all delegates for contributing to the success of the forum.
Highlighting decades-long Pakistan-China cooperation, the minister said the partnership had translated into tangible outcomes across multiple sectors of Pakistan’s economy.
Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said, Chinese investment had played a pivotal role in rapidly expanding Pakistan’s power generation capacity through a diverse portfolio of energy projects, helping address a long-standing constraint on economic development.
Beyond the power sector, he added, Chinese collaboration had supported mass transit solutions, modern road networks and electric mobility initiatives, contributing to productivity growth and employment generation.
The minister noted that China was among the early countries to recognise the strategic importance of the mining sector and now holds a dominant position in rare earth elements, as well as key metals such as antimony, while playing a leading global role in copper smelting and refining.
He said that China’s achievements offered valuable lessons for emerging mineral economies like Pakistan, adding that Pakistan-China cooperation in the mining sector already had a strong foundation, particularly through MCC’s operations in the country.
Ali Pervaiz Malik also highlighted the long-standing collaboration between the Geological Survey of Pakistan and the Chinese Geological Survey since 2010, under which nationwide geochemical sampling was carried out to identify mineralised zones and guide systematic exploration.
“Building on this milestone, we are now advancing towards high-resolution surveys and integrated geoscientific programmes to further unlock Pakistan’s mineral potential and support sustainable economic development,” he said.
The minister said growing confidence among domestic investors was a key indicator of a sustainable business environment, noting that an increasing number of Pakistani companies were entering the mining sector and forming partnerships with international firms.
He added that significant discoveries had been made and the momentum presented strong opportunities for Chinese mining companies, service providers and equipment suppliers to deepen engagement in Pakistan.
The minister said that the government was committed to ensuring policy stability, streamlined approvals and coordinated facilitation for responsible mining investment, including closer federal-provincial alignment and dedicated institutional support mechanisms.
As global demand accelerates for copper and other critical minerals needed for the energy transition, he said, Pakistan — with China’s support — was positioning itself as a reliable long-term partner in the global mineral supply chain.