Pakistan's Mineral Investment Forum 2025; Tapping Balochistan’s Minerals and Advancing National Economy and Foreign Policy Choices

Abstract

In a contemporary global economy, natural resources, especially minerals, are being used as critical instruments of economic diplomacy and statecraft.¹ Countries use the notion of minerals to enhance trade relations, establish strategic alliances, and project power in international political systems.² Pakistan is a mineral-rich country in terms of its geological sector.³ The province of Balochistan, Pakistan, has the potential for a vast untapped reserve of gold, copper, coal, chromite, and rare earth elements.⁴ While significant mineral resources exist, the province of Balochistan is left economically underdeveloped and Geo-politically sensitive because of various factors, including internal governance issues combined with external systemic challenges. Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum 2025 is a state-led initiative that is strategically positioned as a transformational opportunity to mobilize foreign direct investments into Pakistan, promote public-private partnerships, and establish a financially and structurally organic mineral sector in an integrated global economy.