Summit calls for stronger Sino-Pakistan cooperation
BEIJING: At the 4th Asia Mining Innovation and Development Summit in Beijing, Bilal Mahmood Chaudhary, Deputy Head of Mission at the Pakistani Embassy, underscored the game-changing role of mining cooperation within the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Delivering his keynote address on Sunday, Chaudhary highlighted Pakistan’s immense mineral wealth, including 186 billion tons of coal, over 5 million tons of copper, and 400 tons of gold at the Reko Diq site, as well as 500 million tons of iron ore. “These resources firmly position Pakistan as a key regional player in industrial growth, especially under the upgraded CPEC 2.0 phase, which focuses on value addition and downstream processing,” he remarked.
He noted that China’s advanced mining technologies are perfectly suited to Pakistan’s rich resource base, with CPEC’s latest phase aiming to build “mutually beneficial partnerships” under the broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Chaudhary pointed to significant recent milestones, such as the $2.3 billion railway project that will connect mining centers to Gwadar Port—part of CPEC’s second phase, which will boost the port’s annual capacity to 2 million tons by 2030. He also cited examples like the Saindak Copper-Gold Mine, operated by China’s MCC Group, and the Duddar Lead-Zinc Mine in Balochistan, managed by China Huaye Group and achieving a peak output of 500,000 tons in 2019. These initiatives, he said, highlight how CPEC drives “win-win collaboration” through job creation and technology transfer.
Chaudhary also emphasized Pakistan’s efforts to streamline investments through policy reforms, including the National Minerals Harmonisation Framework 2025. This framework promises tax incentives and fast-tracked licensing under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). “We aim to translate our mineral wealth into industrial growth and human development,” he said.
Vice President of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Shaikh Muhammad Shariq, speaking at the summit, reiterated the financial sector’s commitment to supporting mining projects. “CPEC initiatives are opening up new pathways for sustainable financing, ensuring that infrastructure and energy projects align with long-term economic stability,” he noted.
The summit concluded with a resounding call for enhanced Sino-Pakistan collaboration in the mining sector, echoing the shared priority underscored by President Asif Ali Zardari during his visit to China in February 2025.
Chaudhary summed it up by saying, “Our iron-clad friendship will shine brighter through innovation and shared prosperity.”
