Economic, Investment Forum: Investors urged to explore Balochistan’s trade potential
LAHORE: Leading business leaders on Wednesday urged investors to explore Balochistan’s vast mineral, oil and gas reserves, agricultural potential and coastal economy, calling for mining to be granted the status of an industry and the establishment of a Bank of Balochistan to support investment, industrial development and employment generation in the province.
Speaking at the Balochistan Economic and Investment Forum 2026, in Lahore , United Business Group (UBG) Patron-in-Chief and former caretaker Punjab minister for industries and commerce SM Tanveer, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Chairman and Vice President Zaki Ejaz, and Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade (BBoIT) Vice Chairman Bilal Khan Kakar said the province offered significant opportunities for investors, particularly in minerals, mining, oil and gas, agriculture and coastal industries.
They called on the business community to invest in Balochistan and create employment opportunities for its young population, emphasising that the province’s natural resources and strategic geographical location offered considerable potential for economic growth and export expansion.
The speakers stressed that mining should be recognised as a full-fledged industry to encourage mineral exploration, processing and value addition. They also proposed establishing a ‘Bank of Balochistan’ on the pattern of similar institutions in other provinces to facilitate investment and strengthen financial support for businesses.
Expressing optimism about the province’s future, they said lasting peace and stability would help restore investor confidence and attract greater domestic and foreign investment. They expressed the hope that Balochistan would achieve complete peace in the near future, describing security and stability as essential prerequisites for sustainable economic development.
The forum was organised to promote investment, accelerate industrial growth and highlight emerging business opportunities in Balochistan in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.
The speakers appreciated the prime minister’s vision for Balochistan’s economic development, industrial growth and export promotion. They also acknowledged the role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in promoting national security and stability, saying a secure environment was essential for building investor confidence.
Highlighting Balochistan’s strategic importance, the speakers pointed out that its borders with Iran and Afghanistan, together with its geographical position, offered opportunities to expand regional trade and improve access to international markets.
The province’s mineral wealth, oil and gas reserves, agricultural resources and extensive coastal economy could serve as major drivers of economic activity if supported by effective policies, infrastructure development and investor-friendly regulations, they observed.
The speakers emphasised the need to prioritise mineral exploration, modern mining techniques, processing facilities and value addition to ensure that natural resources contributed more substantially to the provincial economy. Developing local processing capabilities, they said, could generate employment, encourage industrial investment and improve the value realised from the province’s mineral resources.
They also called for clear and consistent investment policies, simplified procedures, improved infrastructure and timely facilitation for investors. A coordinated approach by relevant government departments and investment promotion bodies, they said, would help remove administrative obstacles and make Balochistan a more attractive destination for business.
During the forum, BBoIT Vice Chairman Bilal Khan Kakar and Chief Executive Officer Abdul Mannan, Rear Admiral Sohail Ahmed Azmi, Commander Central Punjab, Lahore, Lasbela Industrial Estate Development Authority Managing Director Liaquat Kashani, Ms Nighat Nooruddin of RME Fisheries, Balochistan Mines and Minerals Department Director Akmal Ahmed Khan, and Balochistan Livestock Secretary Saleh Muhammad Baloch gave detailed presentation on investment opportunities and development prospects in their respective sectors.
The presentations covered different areas of the provincial economy, highlighting the potential for investment in industrial estates, technical and vocational training, fisheries, minerals, mining and livestock.
The forum brought together business leaders, investment officials and sectoral representatives to highlight Balochistan’s economic potential and encourage investors to explore opportunities that could support industrialisation, employment generation and sustainable economic growth.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026