Govt courts Saudi investment in energy, minerals

Oil minister highlights simplified mining regulations, digital minerals data platform, invites global firms to PMIF

RIYADH:

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik represented Pakistan at the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh, where he held bilateral meetings and participated in ministerial discussions focused on energy and mineral sector cooperation.

According to an official statement issued on Saturday, on the sidelines of the forum the minister met Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy. The meeting discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across the energy sector, including petroleum supply, renewable energy, energy efficiency and investment opportunities. Malik also met Saudi Minister of Investment Engr Khalid Al-Falih to discuss enhancing investment flows and facilitating partnerships in Pakistan's energy and minerals sectors. Other meetings included interactions with International Energy Forum Secretary General Jassim Alshirawi, Metso Corporation CEO Sami Takaluoma, Delta Oil Chairman Badr Al-Aiban, Eng Saad Alkhalb and Saudi EXIM Bank CEO. Prospects for mutual cooperation were discussed during these engagements.

The petroleum minister participated in a ministerial panel titled "Dawn of a Global Cause: The Role of Governments in Driving Mineral Supply", moderated by CNN anchor and correspondent Eleni Giokos. The panel included Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali, Mauritania's Minister of Mines and Industry Thiam Tidjani, Chile's Mining Minister Aurora Williams Baussa and Canada's Parliamentary Secretary for Energy and Natural Resources Claude Guay.

During the discussion, Malik said the government was reducing systemic friction by simplifying regulations and harmonising the mineral sector framework. He said Pakistan had vast and diverse mineral resources that offered opportunities for international partnerships. The panel noted Pakistan's growing visibility in the global minerals sector, while the moderator observed increasing international interest in securing minerals from the country. Malik formally invited global stakeholders to participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum scheduled for April 2026, describing it as a platform for investment, collaboration and policy dialogue.

He also attended the FMF Ministerial Roundtable titled "Dawn of a Global Cause: Minerals for a New Era of Development", which brought together representatives from around 100 governments. Pakistan's participation at the forum also included a national pavilion titled "Pakistan – The Mineral Marvel". The pavilion showcased the National Minerals Data Centre, a digital platform for the country's mineral sector, with demonstrations of geological modelling, GIS mapping and mineral data visualisation.

In addition, Pakistan hosted a country showcase session on its mineral resources. During the session, the minister outlined Pakistan's approach to critical minerals and referred to the Reko Diq project as a benchmark for mining development, noting that the theme of the upcoming Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum would be "Beyond Reko Diq".