ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is participating in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial at the US Department of State this week, as Islamabad steps up efforts to attract foreign investment and build strategic partnerships in the minerals and energy sectors.
Federal Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik is representing Pakistan at the two-day conference, which has brought together delegations from more than 50 countries to discuss strengthening and diversifying global supply chains for critical minerals—key inputs for advanced technologies, clean energy transitions and defence industries.
Hosted by the US State Department, the ministerial aims to advance collective action to secure reliable supplies of minerals vital for technological innovation, economic growth and national security. The opening session features remarks by US Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senior Director for Global Supply Chains David Copley, and Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg.
Pakistan plans to use the forum to showcase its largely untapped mineral potential, including significant reserves of copper, gold and rare earth elements. Officials note that Islamabad has already signed memoranda of understanding worth around $500 million with US partners for cooperation in the development and processing of critical minerals, signalling deepening bilateral engagement in this strategic domain.
Minister Malik arrived in Washington with a delegation of senior officials and technical experts to hold meetings with government and industry stakeholders. Discussions at the ministerial are expected to focus on supply-chain resilience, investment frameworks, and sustainable mining, processing and recycling.
Pakistan’s participation aligns with its broader strategy to position itself as a credible destination for strategic mineral investment. Islamabad has invited both China and the United States to the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF) 2026, scheduled for April 8–9 in Islamabad, with the aim of unlocking an estimated $6–8 billion in annual mineral export potential, particularly in copper, gold and rare earths, while engaging a wide range of international partners.
Story by Anwar Iqbal
