By SKM
November 12, 2025
ISLAMABAD: France has expressed keen interest in tapping into Pakistan’s vast mineral reserves as both countries pledged closer cooperation in the mining and minerals sector during a high-level webinar titled “Pakistan’s Minerals Economy: Gateway to Growth.”
The event, jointly organized by the Government of Pakistan and the Embassy of France, brought together senior officials, diplomats, and business leaders to explore investment, exploration, and sustainable development opportunities in Pakistan’s minerals industry.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and French Ambassador Nicolas Galey co-chaired the session, while Benjamin Gallezot, Advisor to the French President on Mining, led the French delegation online. Representatives from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), OGDC, PPL, GHPL, and PMDC also participated.
Minister Malik highlighted Pakistan’s rich deposits of copper, gold, and rare earth elements, calling them vital to the global shift toward clean energy technologies. He said the government is building a transparent and investor-friendly framework through the National Minerals Harmonisation Framework, digitalisation of geological data, and a revitalised Geological Survey of Pakistan.
He also cited the success of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25), which drew delegates from over 50 countries and led to 16 MoUs, announcing that PMIF26 will be held in April 2026 to deepen international engagement.
Ambassador Galey lauded Pakistan’s reform efforts and said French companies are eager to explore sustainable mining ventures. “France sees great potential in Pakistan’s mineral sector and looks forward to long-term cooperation,” he remarked.
OGDC MD/CEO Ahmed Hayat Lak invited French firms to partner in exploration, processing, and value-addition projects, stressing that Pakistan’s mineral industry offers “promising investment opportunities.”
The webinar concluded with both sides agreeing to enhance collaboration on joint ventures, technology transfer, and responsible mining practices, signaling a new phase of Pakistan–France economic partnership in the strategic minerals domain. Ends
