ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has stepped into a strategically significant globalforum by participating in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerialhosted by the United States Department of State, signalling Islamabad’sintent to position itself within emerging supply chains shaping futuretechnologies. The two-day gathering brings together delegations from over50 countries and places Pakistan among states seeking long-term relevancein minerals essential for clean energy, defence manufacturing and advancedindustrial systems.
The conference, hosted in Washington, reflects growing internationalconcern over supply chain vulnerabilities for critical minerals such ascopper, lithium and rare earth elements. These materials are indispensablefor renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, electronics and militarytechnologies. Pakistan’s presence at the ministerial underlines itsambition to move beyond traditional commodity exports and integrate intohigher-value segments of the global minerals economy.
Federal Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik is representing Pakistan atthe forum, accompanied by senior officials and technical experts overseeingthe country’s minerals and energy portfolios. According to officials, thedelegation’s mandate is to highlight Pakistan’s largely untapped geologicalpotential and to engage with international partners interested inexploration, processing and downstream development of strategic mineralresources.
The US State Department, announcing the ministerial, stated that theinitiative aims to advance collective efforts to strengthen and diversifyglobal critical minerals supply chains. American officials haveincreasingly framed access to these materials as central to economicresilience, technological leadership and national security. The forum isintended to create momentum for sustained international collaborationrather than isolated bilateral arrangements.
Opening remarks at the conference are scheduled to be delivered by US VicePresident J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Assistant tothe President and Senior Director for Global Supply Chains David Copley,and Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg. Thehigh-level participation reflects Washington’s prioritisation of mineralsdiplomacy as competition intensifies among major powers over secureresource access.
Pakistan’s engagement comes against the backdrop of renewed internationalinterest in its mineral wealth, particularly large copper and gold depositsand prospective rare earth elements. Officials argue that decades ofunderinvestment and regulatory uncertainty have prevented the country fromrealising the full economic value of these resources. The government nowseeks to attract foreign capital and technical expertise to bridge this gap.
Islamabad has previously signed memoranda of understanding valued atapproximately $500 million with US partners focused on cooperation incritical minerals development and processing. These agreements, while stillat early stages, are cited by officials as evidence of expandingUS–Pakistan engagement in a sector viewed as strategically consequentialfor both economic development and geopolitical alignment.
Participation in the ministerial also aligns with Pakistan’s broader energytransition objectives. As global demand for low-carbon technologiesaccelerates, countries possessing mineral resources critical to thesesystems stand to gain economically and diplomatically. Pakistanipolicymakers see an opportunity to link minerals development with domesticindustrialisation, job creation and improved export profiles over themedium to long term.
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Analysts note that translating diplomatic engagement into tangibleinvestment will require sustained policy consistency, improved governanceframeworks and credible assurances for investors. Nonetheless, Pakistan’sinclusion in a US-led initiative involving more than 50 countries marks anotable step in its effort to reposition itself within evolving globalsupply chains that will increasingly shape economic and strategic outcomes.
At the ministerial, Pakistan is expected to emphasise its willingness tocollaborate with international partners on responsible mining practices,value addition and supply chain transparency. Officials hope such messagingwill resonate with countries seeking diversified and reliable sources ofcritical minerals amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and intensifyingcompetition for strategic resources.
Source:https://www.dawn.com
Ministerial
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