ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia is likely to invest $1 billion in Reko Diq copper and gold mine project in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday.
Located in the Chagai district, Reko Diq contains one of the biggest undeveloped copper and gold deposits in the world, with the potential to produce a large amount of these precious commodities for decades.
The project is owned 50 percent by Canada-based Barrick Gold Corporation, 25 percent by three federal state-owned enterprises, 15 percent by Balochistan on a fully funded basis, and 10 percent by Balochistan on a free carried basis, according to Barrick.
“A Saudi investment of up to one billion dollars is likely next month in the Reko Diq Copper Gold project located in Chagai district in Balochistan,” the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Special Investment Facilitation Council is trying to remove obstacles in this regard.”
Pakistan set up the SIFC, which also includes its army chief, in June last year with the sole purpose of reviving the frail economy, dented by low foreign exchange reserves, currency depreciation and record inflation.
In the subsequent months, Islamabad signed a number of bilateral agreements with brotherly countries in the Middle East during high-level engagements by caretaker PM Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar and Army Chief General Asim Munir.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will soon constitute a committee comprising finance ministry officials and all stakeholders in order to ensure smooth completion of the Saudi investment, according to the Radio Pakistan report.
“Following this investment, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will sign agreements for further investment in the mining sector,” the report read.
Saudi Arabia likely to invest $1 billion in Reko Diq project — Pakistani state media
https://arab.news/cjf2d
Saudi Arabia likely to invest $1 billion in Reko Diq project — Pakistani state media
- Located in Pakistan’s Balochistan, Reko Diq contains one of biggest copper, gold deposits in world
- The project has the potential to produce a large amount of these precious commodities for decades
Death toll in Pakistan wedding suicide blast rises to six
- Attack targeted members of local peace committee in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan
- Peace committees are community-based groups that report militant activity to security forces
PESHAWAR: The death toll from a suicide bombing at a wedding ceremony in northwestern Pakistan rose to six, police said on Saturday, after funeral prayers were held for those killed in the attack a day earlier.
The bomber detonated explosives during a wedding gathering in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, injuring more than a dozen, some of them critically.
“The death toll has surged to six,” said Nawab Khan, Superintendent of Police for Saddar Dera Ismail Khan. “Police have completed the formalities and registered the case against unidentified attackers.”
“It was a suicide attack and the Counter Terrorism Department will further investigate the case,” he continued, adding that security had been stepped up across the district to prevent further incidents.
No militant group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.
Khan cautioned against speculation, citing ongoing militancy in the area, and said the investigation was being treated with “utmost seriousness.”
The explosion targeted the home of a member of a local peace committee, which is part of community-based groups that cooperate with security forces and whose members have frequently been targeted by militants in the past.
Some media reports also cited a death toll of seven, quoting police authorities.
Emergency officials said several of the wounded were taken to hospital soon after the blast.
Militant attacks have intensified in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the Taliban returned to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021, with Islamabad accusing Afghan authorities of “facilitating” cross-border assaults, a charge Kabul denies.
