Mineral reserves: FO says Pakistan making efforts to attract global investment
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Friday that Pakistan has mineral reserves estimated at approximately USD 7 trillion and is making efforts to attract investment from around the world.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stated this while addressing his weekly media briefing. He said that Pakistan would welcome any company or country interested in investing in its mineral sector.
“The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has been established to facilitate investment. Investment in any country is a normal practice that can contribute to its overall development. Having mineral reserves is one thing, but exploring and developing them is essential to realise their full potential and derive benefits from these resources,” he said.
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“The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has been established to facilitate investment. Investment in any country is a normal practice that can contribute to its overall development. Having mineral reserves is one thing, but exploring and developing them is essential to realise their full potential and extract benefits from these resources.”
He further stated that Pakistan is keen to attract greater investment in its mineral reserves from across the world. “Our efforts are not limited to any one country. We welcome countries, including the United States, which have the capacity, willingness and resources to come forward and invest in Pakistan.”
To a query, the FO spokesperson also warned India against any military aggression, saying Pakistan’s restraint and commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness. He acknowledged that terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil remained a major security challenge for the country.
Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan was fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression, recalling the military confrontation in May last year as a lesson for India. “New Delhi must abandon its belligerent posture and provocative rhetoric,” he added.
“We reject and condemn the Indian Defence Minister’s provocative remarks entailing a threat of Indian aggression against Pakistan,” the spokesperson said, adding that any aggression would be met with a forceful response.
He said India should draw an appropriate lesson from last year experience and act responsibly to ensure lasting peace in South Asia.
On security challenges emanating from Afghanistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan was confronting terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, much of which originated from Afghan territory. He said Pakistan had been identifying these threats and sharing relevant information with international and bilateral partners.
He further stated that Pakistan had highlighted the alleged role of Afghan authorities and Indian proxies in facilitating terrorist and extremist activities in the country, urging the international community to recognise the gravity of the situation and work collectively to counter terrorism.
The spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan was not shying away from dialogue with Afghanistan but stressed that any negotiations would be conditional on tangible progress in addressing Islamabad’s security concerns.
Haider remarked Pakistan remained open to constructive engagement, including initiatives by friendly countries that could help address its legitimate security concerns and promote regional stability. However, he added that any such efforts must be meaningful and produce tangible results.
Commenting on the recent Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan valued its engagement with Russia on Afghanistan and regional security. The meeting in Moscow was attended by representatives of 10 countries, and the issues were discussed through bilateral and multilateral channels.
The absence of a joint communiqué after the meeting reflected Afghanistan’s reluctance to accept language concerning the presence of terrorist networks on its territory that had been acceptable in previous discussions, he added.
The spokesperson said Pakistan would welcome sincere diplomatic efforts by regional partners, including Russia, provided they helped secure concrete and verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s counterterrorism measures include the implementation of the National Action Plan, Operation Azm-e-Istehkam and enhanced intelligence coordination, he said, adding that Islamabad was also pursuing bilateral and multilateral cooperation to address the threat.
Pakistan also reiterated its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security amid continuing Houthi attacks against the Kingdom. The spokesperson said Pakistan had repeatedly condemned attacks targeting civilian and economic infrastructure and would fulfil its obligations under its bilateral defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and the trilateral arrangement involving Türkiye.
He said Saudi Arabia had the right to defend its sovereignty under Article 51 of the UN Charter, a provision fully supported by Pakistan.
On regional tensions involving Iran and the United States, the spokesperson said Pakistan supported de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy, stressing that disruptions to maritime routes and supply chains affected the wider region.
He said Pakistan would continue supporting efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability through mutual understanding and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026