ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has said that Pakistan’s long-term vision is to become a competitive destination for mineral investment, emphasizing that harnessing the country’s vast mineral wealth is a collective national objective.
Addressing participants at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad, Field Marshal Asim Munir said all possible measures were being taken to ensure the security of the entire mining ecosystem, including mines, miners, investors, industries, projects and all associated personnel.
He assured investors that adequate protection would be provided to mining activities and related infrastructure, stressing that a secure environment was essential for attracting investment and developing the country’s mineral sector.
Field Marshal Asim Munir: Pakistan’s Mineral Investment Strategy Focuses on Value Addition and Industrial Growth
The Army Chief emphasized that Pakistan’s objective was not merely to export raw minerals but to develop the entire value chain, including refining, processing and manufacturing. He said the country sought to establish long-term partnerships that would generate sustainable economic benefits for Pakistan and its international partners.
Field Marshal Asim Munir also stressed that mineral development must bring tangible benefits to local communities, particularly people living in mineral-rich areas. He noted that communities in these regions should experience visible improvements in their living standards through economic opportunities and development initiatives.
Highlighting Pakistan’s human potential, he described the people as hardworking, courageous and determined, with the ability to transform national aspirations into reality.
He observed that while the country’s natural resources offer significant opportunities, its people remain the real source of strength and determination required to achieve progress.
Concluding his remarks, the Chief of Defence Forces called for a decisive shift from potential to productivity, promises to action, and raw material exports to value-added growth, underscoring the importance of transforming Pakistan’s mineral resources into sustainable economic prosperity.
