ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik is leading Pakistan’s delegation to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025, where he is actively pursuing Russian investment in Pakistan’s mining sector.
During key bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum, Malik met with Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, who also co-chairs the Pakistan-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC). Both sides discussed deepening cooperation in energy, trade, investment, banking, insurance, mining, and people-to-people exchanges.
Russia reaffirmed its interest in enhancing bilateral ties and welcomed the upcoming 10th session of the IGC, scheduled for the second quarter of 2025 in Islamabad.
In a notable development, Malik also held talks with Alexey Shemetov, First Deputy Director of Rosatom Minerals, inviting the corporation to explore mining investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in technology transfer, safety, and efficiency enhancement. Rosatom pledged to submit proposals for collaboration.
Speaking at a high-level panel discussion on sustainable mineral development, Malik presented Pakistan’s recent mining sector reforms, highlighting the launch of a new Mining Framework Policy and the completion of the Reko Diq feasibility study.
He underscored that under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, Pakistan has undertaken structural reforms to position itself as a premier destination for mining investment, with a focus on copper, gold, lithium, and other critical minerals.
Malik pointed to the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, held in Islamabad, as a turning point that drew global attention. He noted that Pakistan has harmonised its legal framework with international best practices, aiming to unlock vast untapped mineral reserves through responsible and sustainable development.
Multiple global mining companies expressed strong interest in participating in the next edition of Pakistan’s Minerals Forum, signalling growing confidence in the country’s evolving mining landscape.
