ISLAMABAD (The COW News Digital) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed confidence that Pakistan could emerge as one of the world’s major economies before 2050, citing the country’s mineral wealth, growing investment opportunities and renewed economic momentum.
Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad, the prime minister said Pakistan’s economy was moving towards a new phase of growth and transformation, supported by increasing investor confidence and efforts to unlock the country’s natural resources.
Welcoming international investors and distinguished guests attending the conference, Sharif thanked Barrick Mining Corporation for maintaining its confidence in Pakistan and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a favourable environment for foreign investment.
The prime minister referred to a projection by Goldman Sachs suggesting that Pakistan could become the world’s sixth-largest economy by 2075. However, he said his government was determined to accelerate economic progress, expressing optimism that the country could achieve major economic status even before 2050.
Highlighting the importance of the mining sector, Sharif said Pakistan could no longer afford to export its valuable mineral resources in raw form. Instead, the government wanted to develop domestic industries capable of processing minerals, adding value and producing finished goods for international markets.
He described the development of downstream industries as a key priority, saying that greater local processing would strengthen industrial capacity, create employment opportunities and increase export earnings.
Referring to the Reko Diq project, the prime minister described it as one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits. He said the project, which had remained stalled for nearly two decades, was now moving towards practical implementation and operational development.
Sharif stressed that Pakistan’s objective was not simply to extract minerals and transport them overseas. The country wanted to establish an integrated mineral industry in which extraction, processing and manufacturing would take place domestically before products were exported.
Acknowledging that the journey would involve considerable challenges, he said the government remained committed to achieving its economic objectives through sustained investment and coordinated policymaking.
The prime minister also acknowledged the role of the Field Marshal and his team in placing the minerals sector at the centre of Pakistan’s broader economic vision.
He emphasised that the benefits of mineral development must reach local communities, particularly those living in resource-rich regions. According to him, investment projects should contribute to improved education, healthcare, employment opportunities and living standards.
Sharif further assured international investors that the government would promote fair partnerships, provide equal investment opportunities and maintain consistency in economic policies.
He said administrative procedures were being simplified to meet investors’ expectations, while transparency would be ensured in the issuance of licences and agreements.
The prime minister added that federal and provincial governments would work together to strengthen the mining industry and maximise the country’s mineral potential.
Pakistan possesses significant mineral resources, but transforming this potential into sustainable economic growth will require effective governance, infrastructure development, technological investment and long-term policy stability.
