Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has revealed significant evidence of substantial placer gold deposits in the province’s five rivers, highlighting fresh opportunities for investment in the mining sector.
Speaking at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum in Islamabad on Thursday, she said gold deposits were believed to be present across all five rivers, particularly in areas surrounding Mianwali and Attock.
The forum aims to unlock Pakistan’s mineral potential and attract domestic and international investment in exploration, mining and processing. The chief ministers of Balochistan and Sindh, along with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, also attended the event.
Describing Pakistan as a country rich in natural resources, Maryam said its wealth existed both above and beneath the ground. She stressed the need to explore these resources and convert them into economic opportunities.
She said Punjab’s identity as the land of five rivers also reflected its mineral potential, adding that gold was believed to be flowing through all five waterways.
Maryam also highlighted the increase in revenue generated by Punjab’s Mines and Minerals Department. She said its revenue had risen from around Rs10 billion two and a half years ago to Rs40 billion.
“This is just the beginning,” she said, expressing confidence in the province’s mining sector.
The chief minister said the provincial government was working to create a business-friendly environment and remove obstacles that could discourage potential investors. She identified bureaucratic delays, unnecessary procedures and red tape as key issues that needed to be addressed.
To facilitate investment, the government was introducing a one-window system through which investors could complete necessary procedures without having to visit multiple departments.
Maryam said the provincial government was also making substantial capital investments to reduce the financial burden on investors. These measures include efforts to limit the need for investors to purchase expensive land and tie up large amounts of capital.
She added that the government was offering concessional financing of up to Rs5 billion to support investment in the mining industry. Solar-powered energy solutions would also be provided to help investors manage high electricity and fuel costs.
The chief minister said the measures were part of a broader effort to attract investment, develop Punjab’s mineral resources and turn its natural wealth into economic growth.
