Pakistan to host global mining leaders at Minerals Investment Forum in Islamabad

Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 will bring top government officials, global mining executives and investors to Islamabad on Nov. 12-13 to pitch the country’s mineral sector. The event comes as Pakistan seeks capital, technical expertise and partnerships for projects including Reko Diq and other critical minerals.

Why it matters: - Pakistan is using PMIF26 to attract foreign capital and technical partners into a mineral sector that includes copper, gold, antimony and other high-value resources. - The forum is designed to link Pakistan’s resource potential with global demand for critical minerals tied to the energy transition and digitalization. - Officials want the event to support long-term investment, domestic capability building and greater value creation from mining.

What happened: - The third Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum will run Nov. 12-13, 2026, at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad. - The forum will bring together Pakistan’s political leadership, international investors, mining executives and technical experts. - Confirmed speakers include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Ivanhoe Mines founder and chairman Robert Friedland and Barrick Mining Corporation chairman John L. Thornton. - Other senior Pakistani participants include Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Federal Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik.

The details: - The program will focus on investment opportunities across Pakistan’s mineral sector. - Discussion topics include policy reform, exploration financing, flagship projects, geological collaboration, infrastructure and responsible development. - The Reko Diq copper-gold project is expected to be a central example of Pakistan’s project pipeline. - Exploration opportunities in antimony and other minerals will also be part of the pitch to investors. - Additional speakers will come from the Asian Development Bank, World Bank Group, Lazard, Wood Mackenzie, Milbank, Çalık Group, Weir Group, Barrick and Reko Diq Mining Company. - Organizers say those participants bring experience in mining operations, project finance, engineering, sustainability and investment advisory. - The forum will include a Strategic Conference, a Technical Conference and an international exhibition. - The exhibition will feature mineral projects, equipment, technologies and services for project sponsors, regulators and investors. - The Technical Conference will include more than 50 peer-reviewed technical papers. - Researchers and industry specialists will discuss Pakistan’s geology, exploration, mineral development and value addition.

Between the lines: - Pakistan is trying to position itself as a more credible destination for mining investment by pairing high-level political attendance with international financial and technical names. - The structure of the forum suggests a dual goal: win investor confidence and reduce perceived project risk through better data, infrastructure planning and technical cooperation. - The emphasis on local content, workforce development and innovation points to an effort to keep more of the sector’s value inside Pakistan.

What's next: - PMIF26 will serve as a venue for project sponsors, regulators and investors to pursue commercial partnerships. - The event is expected to generate discussions on future financing structures and technical collaboration for large-scale mining projects. - Organizers aim to build on previous editions to advance a more competitive and internationally connected mining industry in Pakistan. - The forum is intended to help turn mineral potential into long-term investment and sustainable development outcomes.

The bottom line: - Pakistan is putting its mining sector on display in Islamabad, betting that a mix of political backing, global capital and technical expertise can unlock new investment in its mineral wealth.