ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, met with Australia’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Pakistan, Timothy Kane, to discuss opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation in the mining and gemstones industries.
Minister Malik expressed enthusiasm for the interest shown by Australian companies in Pakistan’s mining sector and emphasized the country’s immense untapped mineral wealth, particularly in the resource-rich Tethyan Belt. He proposed establishing an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to facilitate structured and long-term collaboration between the two nations within the mining industry.
He further highlighted the government’s initiatives to develop and formalize the gemstones sector, noting its potential for value addition, export growth, and job creation.
The Australian High Commissioner acknowledged that Australian firms are already significantly engaged in Pakistan’s Reko Diq project and mentioned growing interest from other Australian companies keen to join. He also expressed support for their participation in the upcoming Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF), expressing confidence in a robust Australian presence at the event.
Emphasizing the global rise in demand for critical minerals such as copper and gold, particularly within the context of the global energy transition, Timothy Kane noted how Pakistan’s mining sector has sparked international interest. He voiced optimism about potential collaboration in the gemstones industry through efforts such as knowledge sharing, training programs, and technical assistance.
The Federal Minister expressed gratitude for Australia’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s drive to formalize its mineral sector. He described this partnership as timely and encouraging for the country’s aspirations in the field.
He also referred to his recent visit to Australia to attend the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), where he engaged with senior executives and representatives from leading and emerging Australian mining companies to discuss prospects for investment and cooperation in Pakistan’s mineral industry.
Both leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to enhancing Pakistan-Australia collaboration in the mining and gemstones sectors, recognizing the shared benefits of these efforts.
