Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

Pakistan is seeking to position itself as a major global destination for critical minerals, aiming to transform its estimated $8 trillion mineral wealth into a substantial source of foreign investment, export earnings and industrial development as international demand for strategic raw materials continues to increase.

According to the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMA), the country has 92 identified minerals, of which 52 are currently being extracted commercially. Pakistan's mineral-bearing areas extend across approximately 600,000 square kilometres, containing resources including copper, gold, lithium, cobalt, chromite, rare earth elements, marble, granite, coal and gypsum.

Despite this extensive resource base, the mining sector has historically contributed less than 3 per cent to Pakistan's gross domestic product (GDP), indicating a significant gap between the country's geological potential and its commercial utilisation.

ICMA estimates suggest that stronger governance, improved security, modern technology, infrastructure development and increased investment could help raise annual mineral exports from approximately $3 billion to $8 billion.

Under favourable economic conditions and broader structural reforms, overall GDP growth could potentially increase from around 3 per cent to 6 per cent. However, these figures represent conditional economic projections rather than guaranteed outcomes or officially achieved targets.

Among Pakistan's major mineral development initiatives, the Reko Diq copper and gold project in Balochistan's Chagai district remains particularly significant.

Considered one of the world's largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits, Reko Diq is expected to begin initial production by the end of 2028. The project could contribute substantially to mineral exports, foreign exchange earnings and employment once commercial operations commence.

The international market for critical minerals is expanding as countries invest in electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, renewable energy systems, electronics and advanced industrial technologies.

These developments have increased the strategic importance of copper, lithium, rare earth elements and other minerals essential for modern manufacturing and energy infrastructure.

Pakistan is seeking to capitalise on its mineral resources and geological position by attracting international mining companies, securing technical partnerships and expanding its participation in global mineral supply chains.

However, economic analysts maintain that exporting unprocessed minerals alone will not allow Pakistan to realise the full economic value of its geological resources.

Domestic mineral processing, refining, manufacturing and the production of higher-value industrial materials are considered essential for maximising export revenues and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

ICMA has highlighted several structural challenges affecting the mining industry, including fragmented governance, unclear regulatory frameworks, inadequate infrastructure, limited local processing facilities, security concerns and shortages of technically skilled workers.

The institute has also emphasised the need for transparent licensing procedures, reliable geological information, environmental safeguards, protection of local communities and consistent investment policies.

Addressing these challenges would help improve investor confidence and support the development of commercially viable mining projects.

Pakistan has also been pursuing mineral sector cooperation with international partners, including the United States, China and Türkiye, to attract capital, obtain advanced technology and develop exploration and processing capabilities.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The sealing of Aabpara's Akhbar Market in Islamabad has triggered strong protests from newspaper publishers, vendors and traders' organisations, with representatives of the print media industry condemning the action as a threat to press freedom and the public's right of access to information.

The closure disrupted newspaper distribution across the federal capital, while newspaper vendors and hawkers' organisations threatened to suspend supplies throughout Islamabad and Rawalpindi if the market was not reopened immediately.

According to available reports, the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) sealed the newspaper distribution market on October 16, 2026.

The market has served for decades as a central distribution hub for newspapers in the federal capital, facilitating the collection, sorting and delivery of publications to residential neighbourhoods, government offices, commercial establishments and other institutions.

The closure affected the normal circulation of newspapers, leaving residents and several institutions without their regular supplies. Reports indicated that newspaper deliveries to the Prime Minister's Office, President's Office and diplomatic missions were also disrupted.

The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) strongly condemned the action. In a joint statement, APNS President Senator Sarmad Ali and Secretary General Muhammad Athar Qazi said the market had been sealed without prior notice or an explanation from the authorities.

They described the move as an unwarranted restriction on newspaper circulation that could undermine press freedom, disrupt timely access to information and cause substantial financial losses to publishers, distributors and newspaper vendors.

The APNS leadership urged the federal interior minister to intervene personally and direct the relevant authorities to immediately de-seal the market and restore its normal operations.

Meanwhile, a municipal administration official defended the closure, claiming that approximately Rs 10 million in outstanding charges were owed by the market.

However, representatives of the All Pakistan Akhbar Farosh Federation disputed the claim, maintaining that the market's rent had already been paid.

According to federation representatives, the disputed amount allegedly relates to an adjoining vacant plot that was neither allotted nor leased to the organisation. They called for clarification of the claimed liabilities and questioned the justification for sealing the newspaper distribution centre.

Federation Secretary General Tikka Khan and other representatives met Chief Commissioner Islamabad and CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf to seek his intervention and demand the market's reopening.

Newspaper vendors and hawkers also staged demonstrations at Aabpara Chowk, demanding restoration of their business activities and the return of newspapers reportedly confiscated during the operation.

The protesters warned that they would organise sit-ins outside the National Press Club and CDA headquarters if their demands remained unresolved.

The Markazi Akhbar Faroshan Karachi also condemned the closure. In a joint statement, its President Muhammad Iqbal Noon and General Secretary Abdul Hameed Dada expressed concern that actions affecting newspaper distribution could further weaken an industry already facing financial pressures.

The controversy also reached the Senate, where Senator Sadia Abbasi raised concerns about the disruption of newspaper distribution in the federal capital.

Speaking during Senate proceedings, she called for an explanation from the interior ministry regarding the action against the market and its consequences for newspaper circulation.