Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have forged an agreement to substantially enhance bilateral cooperation in the minerals and mining sectors, with Riyadh pledging its scientific and technical expertise to help develop Pakistan’s vast geological resources.
The understanding was formalised during a high-level meeting in the Saudi capital between Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, and his counterpart, Saudi Minister for Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, according to an official report issued today.
Minister Malik is currently leading a Pakistani delegation at the Future Minerals Forum 2026 being held in Riyadh. During the discussions, Malik highlighted the considerable untapped potential of the Tethyan Belt, a resource-rich area of which the Reko Diq mine is only a small part.
He noted that the Geological Survey of Pakistan is actively working on a collaborative framework with the Saudi Geological Survey to effectively tap this potential. The Pakistani minister also identified fertiliser production and the manufacturing of medical equipment as other significant areas ripe for joint ventures between the two nations.
Speaking on the occasion, Al-Khorayef acknowledged the extensive opportunities for partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the mineral domain. He affirmed that the Kingdom would provide support for the development of Pakistan’s mineral sector through its established scientific and technical proficiency.
The Saudi Minister also conveyed his gratitude to Pakistan for its participation in the Future Minerals Forum. The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, was also present during the talks.
In his remarks, the envoy commended the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, stating that Pakistan’s presence at the forum will further strengthen the long-standing Saudi-Pakistan relations.