Pakistan’s Minerals Forum Sparks Outcry in Balochistan, KP, PoK, and Gilgit-Baltistan

Islamabad, April 10, 2025 – The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, held in Islamabad on April 8-9, aimed to showcase the nation’s vast mineral wealth as a pathway to economic independence. However, the event has instead amplified tensions in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), where local communities accuse the central government of exploiting their resources for foreign and elite gain.

The two-day forum, attended by over 300 delegates from countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and China, was promoted as a platform to unlock “trillions of dollars” in mineral potential. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the gathering, declared, “If we harness these vast reserves, Pakistan can bid farewell to global lenders.” Yet, his optimistic vision has met with skepticism and anger in resource-rich regions, where decades of perceived neglect have fueled distrust.

In Balochistan, home to the Reko Diq copper-gold mine—a focal point of the forum’s investment push—residents view the project as emblematic of exploitation. The province, despite its mineral abundance, grapples with underdevelopment, and locals claim profits rarely benefit their communities. A tribal elder captured the sentiment starkly: “The mountains bleed wealth, but our children starve.”

Similar grievances echo in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, renowned for its gemstone deposits. While the province takes pride in its natural treasures, residents argue that the economic benefits are siphoned off, leaving little for local development. In Gilgit-Baltistan, rich in gold, uranium, and gemstones, protests have erupted over mining leases granted to Chinese companies, with communities fearing environmental and economic marginalization.

In PoK, known for its ruby and sapphire reserves, leaders have long demanded greater control over their resources. Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, a former prime minister of the region, voiced a common concern: “Our minerals will line foreign pockets while we’re left with dust.” Calls for autonomy underscore a broader frustration with Islamabad’s centralized grip on mineral wealth.

The forum’s promise of job creation and socio-economic uplift has done little to quell dissent, as locals perceive a disconnect between national ambitions and regional realities. Critics argue that without equitable profit-sharing and community involvement, Pakistan’s mineral boom risks deepening inequalities and unrest.

As the government forges ahead with international partnerships, the growing divide between Islamabad and its provinces threatens to overshadow the economic optimism touted at the forum. For now, the dreams of mineral-driven prosperity remain clouded by cries for justice from those closest to the land.