ISLAMABAD(National times)- Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Neil Hawkins, discussed on Monday strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy and mining sectors, with a focus on investment, technology transfer, and skills development. During the meeting, the Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing energy security and welcomed Australian expertise, particularly in the fields of mining and renewable energy. He encouraged Australian companies to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s expanding energy sector. The High Commissioner praised Pakistan’s recent economic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, noting that improvements in the current account and profit repatriation mechanisms have revived the confidence of multinational companies operating in the country. He expressed strong interest from Australian mining firms in exploring Pakistan’s mineral-rich regions and proposed collaboration between Australian universities, mining companies, and Pakistani institutions to launch specialised training programs in modern mining technologies. “This initiative will help develop local expertise and support the growth of Pakistan’s mining industry,” Hawkins said. Pervaiz Malik welcomed the proposal, stating, “Pakistan values Australia’s advanced mining capabilities. We are eager to build partnerships that strengthen local skills and attract investment into our mineral and energy sectors. He assured full government support to facilitate such collaborations. During the meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen institutional linkages and explore joint ventures in the energy and mining sectors to promote mutual economic growth.