ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will provide robust security to protect the interests of investors and partners, its army chief told a minerals conference on Tuesday, amid heightened unrest in key mineral-rich province Balochistan.
Pakistan is hosting a two-day mines and minerals conference with delegates from countries including the United States, China and Saudi Arabia, as well as companies including Barrick Gold and Woods Mackenzie. It is seeking to attract investments in its natural reserves, which are estimated to be worth $6 trillion.
“Pakistan’s army will ensure a robust security framework, (and) proactive measures to protect the interests and trust of partners and investors,” General Asim Munir said.
“You can count on Pakistan as a reliable partner.”
The conference comes weeks after insurgents hijacked a train carrying over 400 passengers, including soldiers, in volatile Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan.
The majority of Pakistan’s mines, including Reko Diq, which houses one of the world’s largest undeveloped deposits of copper and gold jointly owned by Barrick Gold and Pakistan, are located in the southwestern province.
Barrick Gold estimates Reko Dig has the potential to generate $74 billion in free cash flow over 37 years.
Ethnic Baloch separatists, who have long been running an insurgency in the region, oppose any foreign investment which they say is an attempt by Islamabad to solidify its hold through external players on their regional resources.
They have been fighting for decades for a greater share of local resources, but some of their armed groups now say they will not settle for anything less than a separate homeland.
One of the largest insurgent groups, the Baloch Liberation Army, claimed responsibility for the train hijacking, which resulted in the deaths of 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers. At least 33 insurgents were also killed.
“We welcome international organizations to seek investment opportunities and partnership with us in the development of wider resources,” Munir said.
Pakistan’s army vows to protect investors in billion-dollar mining sector in conflict zone
https://arab.news/8f277
Pakistan’s army vows to protect investors in billion-dollar mining sector in conflict zone
- Pakistan is hosting a two-day mines and minerals conference with delegates from countries including the United States, China and Saudi Arabia
- The conference comes weeks after insurgents hijacked a train carrying over 400 passengers, including soldiers, in volatile Balochistan province
Pakistan, Qatar seize 4.48 kg cocaine at Islamabad airport in joint anti-narcotics operation
- Female passenger arrested after arriving from Sharjah via Doha, handler detained outside terminal
- Pakistan lies along regional trafficking routes connecting the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have seized about 4.48 kilograms of cocaine at Islamabad International Airport and arrested two suspects in a joint operation coordinated with Qatar, Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) said on Tuesday.
Pakistan lies along regional trafficking routes connecting the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, with airports — particularly transit hubs such as Doha — frequently used to move narcotics through couriers. Authorities say recent years have seen rising interceptions of cocaine shipments destined for urban markets.
“Following the GCC Conference on Counter Narcotics held at Islamabad in April 2025, Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Pakistan, in coordination with Qatari counterparts, has conducted a joint intelligence-based operation at Islamabad International Airport,” the ANF said in a statement.
“Operation underscores the effectiveness of enhanced intelligence sharing and operational coordination between Pakistan and Qatar in countering transnational drug trafficking,” the ANF added.
“Cocaine — a highly dangerous and expensive narcotic, often linked to elite consumption — is increasingly being trafficked into Pakistan. ANF remains vigilant in monitoring and disrupting its inflow.”
The force said officers intercepted a Pakistani woman arriving from Sharjah via Doha after receiving shared intelligence and recovered cocaine concealed in a hand-carried trolley bag.
During questioning, investigators said the passenger identified a handler waiting outside the arrivals area, after which authorities detained a second suspect and seized a vehicle.
Investigators said the bag had allegedly been handed to the courier during transit at Hamad International Airport in Doha by a foreign national on instructions from handlers based in the United Arab Emirates, and that coordinated investigations were underway in both countries.
The ANF said the case highlighted cross-border trafficking networks using international transit routes and couriers, adding that the suspects and seized narcotics would remain in custody pending further investigation.
