According to the Mining Journal, Pakistan is investing 150 million U.S. dollars to build a mineral processing center in Punjab Province. This initiative is part of the country’s efforts to attract foreign partners to invest in its mining sector.

　　This complex is being constructed by Anfal Group and is supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) of Pakistan. The SIFC is a public-private partnership established in 2023, tasked with rapidly advancing mining, energy, agricultural, and technology projects.

　　According to officials, the plan was developed in coordination with the Punjab provincial government and is expected to save Pakistan roughly $2.9 billion annually in chemical import costs.

　　In June, Pakistan Radio reported that “the project will create new opportunities for exporting key chemicals, including rock salt.”

　　Saudi enterprises

　　Anfal Group is a Saudi-based company that includes Anfal Cement and Anfal Rock Salt. Its business extends to the extraction and processing of rock salt, which is used in food, agriculture, and the chemical industry.

　　This new initiative comes at a time when Pakistan’s leadership—particularly the military—has already indicated its intention to develop the mining sector in order to boost revenue.

　　Army Chief of Staff Marshal Asim Munir believes Pakistan’s mineral reserves represent a “rare-earth treasure” that could transform the country’s economy.

　　Local media quoted Munir as saying, “Pakistan possesses rare earth resources. By leveraging these rare earth resources, Pakistan can reduce its debt and thus soon become one of the wealthiest countries.”

　　Reck Dick Income

　　Munir specifically mentioned the Rekodik copper-gold mine located in Balochistan Province, which is being developed through a partnership between Canada’s Barrick Gold Corporation and a Pakistani state-owned entity.

　　He pointed out that the Reckdik copper-gold mine, which is set to begin production next year, will generate annual revenues of at least 2 billion U.S. dollars.

　　Nevertheless, the development path for Rekodik doesn't seem to be all that smooth. The mine is located in a region frequently targeted by insurgent attacks, and local leaders accuse Islamabad of extracting resources without benefiting the community.

　　Greater concerns revolve around transparency, environmental standards, and whether activities in the region can actually create value.

　　International attention

　　International interest in the country is on the rise. Last week, during Pakistan’s Independence Day, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio stated that Washington “hopes to explore new areas of economic cooperation, including critical minerals and oil and gas.”

　　Pakistan’s Minister of Commerce stated that U.S. companies will have the opportunity to invest in joint-venture mining projects in Balochistan and obtain mining rights.

　　For Islamabad, under pressure from debt, inflation, and dwindling foreign exchange reserves, developing mineral resources will become one of the ways to attract more foreign investment and stabilize the economy.