Islamabad (TDI): German Ambassador to Pakistan, Ina Lepel, said that international interest is growing in the country’s natural resource reserves, and that Pakistan’s mining potential is huge.
She made these remarks while meeting the Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, at the Ministry of Energy. The Political and Economic Counsellor at the German embassy, Janine Rohwer, was also present in the meeting.
The discussions centered on unlocking the vast potential for bilateral cooperation in Pakistan’s mining, minerals, and energy sectors.
Ambassador Lepel commended Pakistan’s efforts and said that the Reko Diq project “stands as a crucial test case for attracting further international investment.”
“The international interest in Pakistan’s mining sector is encouraging,” she noted while pointing toward specific avenues for technical collaboration, suggesting that the “Geological Survey of Pakistan and the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) have significant potential for collaboration.”
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Minister Malik detailed the government’s strategic focus on modernizing the sector. “Our vision is clear: we are focused on promoting sustainable and mechanized mining practices.”
“The next edition of the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum will be even bigger, showcasing the extensive opportunities we have to offer to global investors,” the Minister added noting the momentum after the Minerals Forum.
The discussions also extended to the energy sector, where Minister Malik outlined Pakistan’s commitment to environmental sustainability, and told the German Envoy that a “comprehensive refinery upgradation program” is underway.
“This initiative is not only crucial for meeting our domestic fuel quality standards but also aligns perfectly with Germany’s strong policy focus on decarbonization and a green transition. Both our countries can collaborate effectively on this front.”
The Minister also drew attention to localizing fuel supplies to achieve self-sufficiency. He said that after almost two decades, Pakistan did a bidding round for offshore exploration blocks.
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