In a major push to unlock its mineral wealth and attract substantial foreign investment, Pakistan on Friday unveiled the comprehensively modernized Geoscience Advance Research Laboratories (GARL), inaugurated by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in a high-profile ceremony.

The event”s significance was underscored by the presence of Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, alongside Federal Ministers and distinguished foreign dignitaries, signaling a unified national focus on developing the country”s mineral resources.

The facility in Chak Shehzad, originally established in 1991, has been revitalized to meet global benchmarks. It now boasts the prestigious ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, a certification that confirms its technical competence for testing and calibration on an international level.

This key development enables the laboratory to provide the internationally recognized analytical data that is a prerequisite for mining companies considering reserve estimation for major projects.

Officials at the Geological Survey of Pakistan described the enhancement and accreditation as crucial for attracting capital to the mineral sector. They stated that the facility would now supply the reliable data that international mining corporations and financial institutions require to commit to significant ventures.

Building on a legacy of over three decades, the enhanced research center is poised to function as a state-of-the-art hub, equipped to support the demanding requirements for the advancement of Pakistan”s mineral sector.