ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has called for transforming Pakistan’s mineral wealth into a source of national development and economic prosperity, stressing the need for a coordinated strategy to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Addressing the ongoing Minerals Forum in Islamabad on Friday, the field marshal said Pakistan must move beyond exporting raw minerals and focus on developing the entire value chain, including refining, processing and manufacturing, to maximise the economic benefits of its natural resources.
He emphasised that mineral development must also bring tangible improvements to the lives of people living in resource-rich regions, ensuring that local communities directly benefit from the country’s natural wealth.
Benefits for local population
Field Marshal Asim Munir said making effective use of Pakistan’s mineral resources was a shared national objective, adding that development gains must reach communities in areas where these resources are found.
He stressed that the success of the mineral sector should not be measured solely by extraction or export figures, but also by the positive changes it brings to local populations.
According to him, people living in mineral-rich areas must be included in the development process and should be able to see clear improvements in their living standards.
The field marshal said Pakistan possessed considerable mineral wealth, but unlocking its potential required an integrated approach that connected resource development with broader economic objectives.
Value addition
Highlighting the importance of industrial development, he said Pakistan’s ambition should extend beyond exporting unprocessed minerals to establishing domestic capabilities in refining, processing and manufacturing.
Developing the complete value chain within the country would help maximise returns from mineral resources while encouraging industrial activity, attracting investment and creating new employment opportunities.
He said Pakistan also wanted to promote long-term partnerships that could generate sustainable economic value for the country and its international partners.
For this purpose, the country needed to make effective use of its available resources and capitalise on investment opportunities in the mining and minerals sector.
Field Marshal Asim Munir also expressed confidence in the capabilities and determination of the Pakistani people, describing them as hardworking, courageous and committed, with the potential to turn their aspirations into reality.
He said the country’s natural resources presented significant opportunities, while the hard work, skills and determination of its people would be central to converting that potential into tangible results.
The top military commander stressed the need for Pakistan to move from potential to production, promises to practical action, and raw mineral exports to value-added economic growth. He said developing the minerals sector as a driver of economic stability, industrial expansion and public prosperity had become an important national priority.
