Pakistan is Sitting on $7 Trillion Treasure: Ahsan Iqbal

Pakistan has an estimated mineral wealth of more than $7 trillion, and the administration is seeking foreign investment to develop the country's vast reserves, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal stated.

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• According to Iqbal, CPEC 2.0 is shifting toward business-to-business cooperation, with focus areas including expansion, livelihoods, innovation, green energy and regional connectivity.
• He remarked Pakistan is responding by accelerating the construction of reservoirs, including the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.
• Iqbal remarked Pakistan had gone around four to five decades without developing a major new reservoir and now needs to catch up.

Speaking to the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, Iqbal remarked critical minerals are central to Pakistan's economic strategy as Islamabad seeks to attract long-term investment from the United States and other countries.

He remarked decades of regional conflict and political instability had discouraged investors from making the long-term commitments required for substantial mining projects. With macroeconomic conditions improving, Pakistan is now seeking foreign partners to develop its mineral resources. NA Panel Seeks Answers On Pakistan's Trade Gap With China.

Iqbal remarked the administration is engaging US firms in the critical minerals sector through initiatives including a memorandum of understanding with US Strategic Metals, potential financing from the US Export-Import Bank and participation in international critical-minerals forums.

He stressed that stronger economic ties with the US would not come at the expense of China. Iqbal described China as a trusted partner and remarked Pakistan does not view its relationships with major economies as a zero-sum choice.

He remarked the first phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) brought around $25 billion in investment and assisted address Pakistan's power shortages while improving highways, fibre-optic connectivity and Gwadar Port.

Mining and minerals, climate-resilient agriculture, industrial joint ventures, technology and human-resource development are among the areas being targeted. He remarked a number of billion dollars of joint-venture agreements have already been signed at recent business events.

Iqbal additionally highlighted artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure as emerging areas for investment. He remarked Pakistan is developing its national AI ecosystem around data centres, education, data sovereignty and sector-specific applications in areas such as healthcare, industry and governance.

He observed that Pakistan has surplus energy capacity, including renewable and conventional sources. It could backing data-centre investment in the short and medium term.

Meanwhile, the minister linked the country's mining, AI and energy ambitions with another major challenge: water security.

Iqbal cautioned that India's decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance has created a new security challenge for Pakistan, saying water could potentially be employed as an instrument of pressure.

He remarked Pakistan is responding by accelerating the construction of reservoirs, including the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams. It together are anticipated to add roughly six million acre-feet of storage capacity once completed.

Iqbal remarked Pakistan had gone around four to five decades without developing a major new reservoir and now needs to catch up. The extra storage is intended to improve water security, manage climate-related volatility and reduce vulnerability to disruptions in upstream water flows.

He remarked Pakistan is additionally pursuing diplomatic channels to prevent the water dispute from escalating, stressing that South Asia needs greater focus on development, poverty reduction, health, education and regional connectivity. Govt Approves Rs. 567 Million for Reko Diq Security.

In practice, the minister remarked Pakistan's geographic position, young population and growing technology sector provide opportunities to expand IT, mineral development, regional trade and cooperation with major global economies.

He remarked the government's broader strategy is to combine economic stabilisation with investment in water infrastructure, critical minerals, technology and connectivity while maintaining economic relationships with both the US and China. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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In short, pakistan is Sitting on $7 Trillion Treasure: Ahsan Iqbal is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.