ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (Alliance News): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed relevant authorities to ensure that local communities, particularly the people of Balochistan, receive direct economic benefits from mineral development projects through employment generation, skills training and expanded livelihood opportunities.
Chairing a meeting with a delegation of Barrick Mining Corporation, led by its Chairman John Thornton, the prime minister stressed that the effective utilization of Balochistan’s mineral wealth and natural resources was vital for the province’s sustainable development, economic prosperity and improved living standards.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that local communities must remain central beneficiaries of mineral development initiatives, with particular attention to creating employment and professional training opportunities for the province’s youth.
He said the government was committed to ensuring that communities surrounding mining sites benefited directly from these projects through greater economic participation, skills development and improved opportunities.
Welcoming Barrick Mining Corporation’s participation in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, the prime minister described the Reko Diq project as a landmark initiative for attracting investment into Pakistan’s mineral sector and a strategically important undertaking for the country’s economic future.
He expressed confidence that the successful implementation of the project would establish a benchmark for future investments in the mining industry while strengthening international investor confidence in Pakistan’s economic potential.
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan was determined to unlock its vast mineral resources by establishing a conducive investment environment through investor-friendly policies, improved infrastructure, trade facilitation and the adoption of modern technologies.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed policy, regulatory and infrastructure requirements for expanding investment in Pakistan’s mining and mineral development sectors.
Shehbaz Sharif also expressed the government’s interest in benefiting from Barrick Mining Corporation’s international expertise and technical experience beyond the Reko Diq project to support the broader modernization and development of Pakistan’s mining industry.
The Barrick delegation appreciated the government’s initiative to organize the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, describing it as an important platform for highlighting the country’s mineral potential and encouraging international investment.
The delegation also conveyed its keen interest in investing in the establishment of mineral processing industries in Karachi and Gwadar, reflecting opportunities to expand value addition and strengthen Pakistan’s mineral-related industrial capacity.
The proposed investment in mineral processing could also contribute to developing downstream industries, creating employment opportunities and enhancing the economic value of the country’s natural resources.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Special Assistants Tariq Fatemi and Lieutenant General (retd) Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, along with senior government officials.
